Boy, 16, fatally stabbed at birthday party in east London park

A teenage boy has died after being stabbed in an east London park during a confrontation at a birthday party.

The 16 year old, named locally as Charlie Kutuyampo, was attacked at about 21:40 GMT on Saturday at Ashton Playing Fields in Woodford.

The Met said it is thought he had gone to a girl's 16th birthday party at a nearby social club when a confrontation started between him and four boys.

He was taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

Police said the victim is yet to be formally identified and no arrests have been made.

Scotland Yard said the four males ran off towards the nearby Chigwell Road and party-goers went to the aid of the wounded teen.

Forensics officers recovered two knives from near the scene on Sunday, one a silver kitchen knife and the other a black-handled knife, but it is not yet clear whether either was used in the stabbing.

Joedci Joseph who was at the event said Charlie "always had a smile on his face".

He said: "It was very scary for my younger brother and my younger siblings and for other children who come here.

"Ashton Playing Fields...it's a big venue where a lot of people have their parties so it's quite worrying and shocking that it happened so close to home at a common venue."

Det Ch Insp Ken Hughes said: "There were around 100 young people at this party and we are appealing for anyone with information or any witnesses to come forward as soon as possible.

"The victim's family are naturally devastated and in shock by what has happened and we need the help of those at the party that night to progress our investigation."

The boy is the first teenager to be stabbed in the capital this year.