A murder investigation has been launched after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in a park in Penge.

Police were called at 7.22pm last night (November 2) to Betts Park off Anerley Road, after reports that a youth had been attacked.

The teenager was found with multiple stab wounds.

UPDATE: 17-year-old killed in Penge park named

Police tried save the victim before the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance arrived at the scene.

But the boy died at the scene, just after 8.15pm. His next of kin has been informed.

The victim is believed to be the 22nd teenager killed in London this year - the highest for nine years - and the 16th stabbed to death.

A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous said: "We were in the park at the time.

"I saw the guy on the ground. We thought he was dead already but the police arrived and tried to resuscitate him.

"I was out walking my dog, had we left five minutes earlier we might have seen it happen."

Betts Park has been closed off and made a crime scene. Some roads around the park are closed.

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Bonnie, whose house overlooks the park, said: "There were forensics police out there with torches all night and they put up a tent as well.

"I don't get home from work until late and it's one of those things that makes you scared to get off the bus."

So far there have been no arrests but detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC) are investigating.

Dan, who can see the park from his window, said he hadn't realised at first first what was going on.

He said: "I heard lots of sirens so I looked up to see what all the commotion was and I saw lots of people standing around someone.

"As I looked more I realised they were giving the guy CPR.

"I was working at my desk and had I looked up I would have seen everything that happened but as I was so engrossed in what I was doing I only saw the aftermath."

Another local, who asked not to be named, said: "There was a big commotion in the park, but to be honest I just thought it was people mucking about with fireworks.

"If I had had any bottle rockets of my own, I'd have gone to join them. I'm glad that I didn't.

"Everybody tends to keep themselves to themselves really - the park is beautiful and I loved going for walks through there in the summer, but I might steer clear of it for a while.

"Anerley is usually very quiet - murder isn't the sort of thing that happens around here."

On Facebook Charlie Huffington-Shinn said: "Another young life cut untimely short and for what!? Such a tragic waste."

Shalom Fredericks New said: "R.I.P too much violence in the world."

Anyone with information about this incident should call Bromley police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.