Four youths taken into custody following fatal attack on a 16-year-old boy
Cambridgeshire Police confirmed the arrest of four teenagers after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed during an attack in Riseholme, near the Ortongate Shopping Centre in Peterborough. The incident occurred just before 7:00 PM BST on Sunday, prompting emergency services to respond to reports of a teenager being assaulted. A school nearby, St John’s Church School, temporarily closed its doors due to the “serious incident” unfolding nearby.
Arrests and suspect roles
A 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man, both from Peterborough, were detained on suspicion of murder. Two additional teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were arrested for allegedly aiding the perpetrator. The 16-year-old girl from March was also charged with possessing a sharp object. All suspects are currently held in police custody.
“This is a tragic incident which has resulted in the death of a young man, and we are in contact with his family and keeping them updated,” said Det Ch Insp Richard Stott of the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit. “While we understand the death will be concerning for local people, we do not believe this was a random attack and there will be a significant police presence in the area over coming days.”
An email from the school revealed police were “processing a site in close proximity to the school,” leading to the decision to shut its doors. The shopping centre remained open, though its rear car park was closed. A large police cordon surrounded the Ortongate area on Monday, with heightened patrols expected for the next few days. Some flowers were left near the cordoned zone, indicating community solidarity.
Authorities are seeking public assistance, urging anyone with information or home CCTV footage to contact police. The school stated it would “continue to monitor the situation” and provide updates on reopening to parents and guardians. Meanwhile, the shopping centre operates as usual, with no immediate impact on its daily activities.
