Former Southampton teenager stabbed to death in London

Alex Smith (pictured), 16, has been named as the teenager stabbed to death by thugs 'with a foot-long machete' in Camden, north London, at around 11.10pm last night

A 16-year-old boy stabbed to death in London last night sparking the capital's 87th murder probe has been named as former Southampton youth footballer Alex Smith.

Horrified witnesses have told how a gang armed with knives chased down the youngster 'with a foot-long machete' before stabbing him to death in Camden, north London, at around 11.10pm.

And this afternoon, police said the teenager had been chased around Munster Square before being stabbed a number of times. The suspects then made off in a vehicle which was discovered burnt out nearby.

A crime scene remains in place. There have been no arrests.

One anonymous witness recalled how the teenager had frantically searched for help as a gang of three pursued him with a machete while 'screaming and laughing'.

'I was just in my room and all I heard was screaming and shouting,' she said. 'Through my bedroom window I could see everything.'

'We just saw the three boys holding him. He said "help me, help me, help me". He collapsed on the floor and then it was quiet.'

The victim's stomach was visibly bloodied, she said, adding that the attackers fled in a car. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, near Regent's Park, just before midnight.

Forensics officers are at the scene in Camden this morning investigating the murder of a 16-year-old last night

A campaigner from Camden Against Violence is pictured laying flowers for the latest victim of the capital's knife epidemic

Police remain at the scene this morning in Camden, north London, where a teenager has been stabbed to death

An officer is pictured at the estate in Camden, north London, this morning, where a boy was killed last night

Pictured: The scene this morning in Camden, north London, where a 16-year-old was stabbed to death last night

Pictured: Police at the scene in Camden, where a 16-year-old was stabbed to death on an estate late last night

Pictured: The locations at which murder investigations have been sparked in London since the start of the year

Mr Smith had played youth football for Southampton but had 'gone off the rails' after he was released from the club, according to friends.

One told the Sun Online: 'I was good friends from around age six to 14, but in the last couple of years he went off the rails.

'We played at Southampton FC youth team together but he got released and then got involved with the wrong people.'

The Metropolitan Police has said the victim was chased around Munster Square 'by a number of suspects' prior to being stabbed a number of times.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Healy said this afternoon: 'The suspects made off in a vehicle which was discovered burnt out nearby. Another vehicle believed to be involved in the incident was also found burnt out some distance away.'

'We have a dedicated team working relentlessly to track down those responsible. We're reviewing CCTV, knocking on doors and completing other enquiries to build a clear picture of the events last night.