This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/6236084.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Teenage stabbing victim is named Mother's tribute to stabbed son
(about 2 hours later)
A teenager who was stabbed to death in a fight in south-east London has been named as Ben Hitchcock. The mother of a teenager stabbed to death in a street fight in south-east London has called him a "loving boy" and urged witnesses to come forward.
Officers found him with serious injuries after the attack in Southend Road, Beckenham, shortly before midnight on Saturday. Ben Hitchcock, 16, died of his wounds after being stabbed in an attack in Southend Road, Beckenham, shortly before midnight on Saturday.
The stabbing was not racially motivated and was the result of a fight that broke out when a group tried to gatecrash a party, police said. The stabbing was not racially motivated and resulted from a fight with gatecrashers at a party, police said.
Fourteen teenagers, including a girl, were arrested over the incident.Fourteen teenagers, including a girl, were arrested over the incident.
The teenagers, aged between 13 to 16 years, have since been bailed to return on Wednesday. Teenagers bailed
Det Supt Simon Morgan said: "There is nothing at this stage to say this is racially motivated. This is believed to be a group that tried to gatecrash a party. "My son was loved very much by his family and many friends. We will miss him terribly, more than anything in the world," Ben's mother, Lee Hitchcock, said.
"Ben was the kindest, happiest and most loving boy that ever walked this earth.
"He was 16 and had just finished his exams at school. He had the rest of his life before him.
"I appeal to anyone who knows who killed my Ben to get in touch with the police. We must know the truth about what happened."
The 14 arrested teenagers, aged between 13 to 16 years, have since been bailed to return on Wednesday.
Det Supt Simon Morgan said: "There is nothing at this stage to say this is racially motivated. To say this is gang-related is not right in this incident.
The school is extremely shocked at the tragic loss of this young man's life Brian Lloyd, head teacherThe school is extremely shocked at the tragic loss of this young man's life Brian Lloyd, head teacher
"To say this is gang related is not right in this incident. "The incident simply evolved from gate crashing a party and that is the motive behind what has led to a full blown fight at this location and tragic consequences."
"The incident simply evolved from gate crashing a party and that is the motive behind what has led to a full blown fight at this location and tragic consequences," he added.
He added that the groups came from different parts of south-east London and trouble erupted when a group of six, coming from the same area in Lewisham, was excluded from a party at a house.
Following a disturbance police were called to the scene and the party was ended.Following a disturbance police were called to the scene and the party was ended.
Ben Hitchcock had just finished his GCSEs
Police believe calls were made to others and youngsters at the party came out on the street. By the time the fight broke out 40 young people had gathered at the scene.Police believe calls were made to others and youngsters at the party came out on the street. By the time the fight broke out 40 young people had gathered at the scene.
Ben was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Officers recovered a number of knives and bricks from the area.
Officers recovered a number of knives and bricks from the scene. One of Ben's friends, Karim Shakur, said: "You've got to watch your back now and wherever you go you've to look over your shoulder because don't know who it might be."
One of Ben's friends, Karim Shakur, said: "You've got to watch your back now and wherever you go you've to look over your shoulder because don't know who it might be. Brian Lloyd, head teacher at Kelsey Park Sports College in Beckenham where Ben recently sat his GCSEs, said: "The school is extremely shocked at the tragic loss of this young man's life."
"It could be you next. You have to be always on guard," he added.
Brian Lloyd, head teacher at Kelsey Park Sports College in Beckenham where Ben recently sat his GCSEs, said: "The school is extremely shocked at the tragic loss of this young man's life.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."
The school was due to hold a service for Ben on Monday afternoon, close to where he died.