A police manhunt for the killer of 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa has entered its second week.
Aspiring rapper Kelyan was fatally injured on a route 472 bus in Woolwich Church Street just before 2.30pm last Tuesday.
Scotland Yard said no arrests have been made more than six days on from the murder on a double-decker in south east London.
Over the weekend, the Metropolitan Police implemented orders giving them greater powers to stop and search and demand the removal of disguises, including face coverings, because of concerns there could be more serious youth violence.
Live facial recognition cameras were deployed in Greenwich and Southwark crime hotspots to locate wanted offenders on a “watchlist”.
Following his death, Kelyan’s mother said her son had been groomed by gangs after running away from care and living on the streets.
Mary Bokassa, 50, also told the Sun on Sunday: “I tried to prevent it.
“I screamed. I said, ‘My son is going to be killed’.
“At one point he was missing for a year and was living on the street. He finally turned up at my doorstep, sick, underweight and tattooed.
“If I questioned him he wouldn’t tell me anything about his friends.”
Pictured is Kelyan’s heartbroken mother, Mary Bokassa holding a picture of her son. (Jeremy Selwyn)
Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation into Kelyan’s death to come forward.
It is feared he was killed amid a violent turf war between the Wildbatch gang and their rival WoolyO, who compete to control the crack cocaine and cannabis trade.
Meanwhile, Peter Andre has opened up about his own worries for his two of his five children, 19-year-old son Junior and daughter Princess, 17.
The TV personality and ex-singer wrote in his weekly magazine column: “It was so tragic to hear about the 14-year-old boy, Kelyan Bokassa, who was stabbed on a London bus.
“I can’t imagine that feeling as a parent. I remember when Junior and Princess started to go on trains – I was petrified.
“Sometimes I wouldn’t let them but then I thought, you need to let kids grow up and can’t wrap cotton wool around them.
“But the problem is, the world is unsafe and you can’t protect them all of the time. My heart aches for that young boy’s family. Knife crime is a real issue that needs to be dealt with. My thoughts are with his family.”
Some 10 teenagers were killed in London last year, nine of whom were stabbed and one shot dead.
Separately, four teenagers have appeared in court charged with murder after a 17-year-old was fatally stabbed near Bedford bus station.
Thomas Taylor died in hospital after being stabbed near Bedford bus station (Bedfordshire Police/PA) (PA Media)
A group of males attacked Thomas Taylor as he walked along Greenhill Street at 5.50pm on Wednesday January 8, Bedfordshire Police said.
Ahmed Adam, 18, and two other males aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were arrested by the force on Friday and charged with murder on Saturday.
Bennett Ndenkeh, 18, was arrested on Saturday and charged with the same offence on Sunday.
On Monday, all four defendants appeared in person over two hearings at Luton Magistrates’ Court.
District Judge Keem Low remanded the two adult defendants into custody and two youths into youth detention accommodation to next appear at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday.
A 16-year-old boy who was also arrested on Saturday in connection with the incident has been released on bail as inquiries continue, police said.
Anyone with information on Kelyan’s murder can call police via 101, quoting reference 3795/07JAN25, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.