COPS have arrested three teenagers after a student was fatally stabbed near a bus station in a town centre.
Thomas Taylor, 17, was attacked by a group of males at 5.50pm on Wednesday as he walked along Greenhill Street, close to Bedford bus station.
PAThomas Taylor, 17, was fatally stabbed close to Bedford bus station[/caption]
PAFloral tributes near Greenhill Street following the stabbing[/caption]
The Bedford Academy student was taken to hospital with serious injuries but was pronounced dead a short time later.
The offenders, all described as black and wearing dark clothing, fled the scene towards Hassett Street and Greyfriars car park.
Bedfordshire Police launched a murder investigation into the killing and several areas of Bedford town centre remain cordoned off.
The force has now confirmed a 17-year-old and two 18-year-olds have been detained.
A fourth person, a man in his 60s, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender on Thursday and has been bailed pending further inquiries.
Detective Inspector Richard Stott, leading the investigation for the major crime unit, said: “This is an absolutely shocking incident in which a teenage boy has lost his life as a result of knife crime and serious youth violence.
“We want to reassure the wider community that officers are pursuing all lines of inquiry as well as carrying out increased patrols in the surrounding area.”
TRIBUTE
Thomas’s headteacher Chris Deller described Thomas as a “respected lad” who had achieved good exam results at the end of year 11 before progressing to sixth form.
He said: “We are deeply upset and shocked to hear the sad news that a Bedford Academy student has lost their life.
“Thomas was a popular, well-liked and respected lad who finished Year 11 with a strong set of results, before going on to study at sixth form.
“Our focus now is on supporting the family through such a difficult period whilst helping our students and wider community to come to terms with such a tragic loss.”
Thomas’s death comes just days after 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa was stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich, south-east London, earlier this week.
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