TWO HELD OVER TEENAGER'S STAB DEATH

The teenager was stabbed to death in Whitwell Road, east London, around 11pm on Saturday night, and taken to the Royal London hospital where he was pronounced dead just before midnight, the Metropolitan Police said. Next of kin have been informed.

The spokesman said two males were arrested on suspicion of murder in the early hours of Sunday morning and were being held at an east London police station. Officers discovered the injured teenager after seeing a large group of youths in the street. As the police approached, the group fled the scene.

The 15-year-old was then found with several stab wounds to his chest. Police said they were unsure exactly how he came to be injured, and added they were keeping an "open mind" about what happened.

The stabbing is being investigated by the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command unit.

Forensic officers are also carrying out a fingertip search of the area. A post-mortem will be carried out on the dead youth in due course.

The victim was named locally as Steven Lewis with tributes posted on his My Space site.

One tribute read: "Im So Angry At The Fact That I'll Never Speak To You Again, I Love You, You Were The Best Best Friend Anyone Could Ask For xxx " Another said: "Your a true guy, right now i still cant believe your gone, rest in perfect peace, bruv u would be missed."

The stabbing is the latest violent teenage death to hit the London area. Last year more than 28 teenagers met violent deaths in and around the capital.

Anyone with information about the attack should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.