Three teenagers have been charged with murder after a 17-year-old was fatally stabbed near a town centre bus station, police have said.
Thomas Taylor, 17, was attacked by a group of males at 5.50pm on Wednesday as he walked along Greenhill Street, close to Bedford bus station, officers said.
The Bedford Academy student was taken to hospital with serious injuries but was pronounced dead a short time later.
Ahmed Adam, 18, of Mardale Close, Kempston, Bedford, and two other males aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were arrested on Friday and were charged with murder on Saturday, Bedfordshire Police confirmed.
Floral tributes near Greenhill Street, close to Bedford bus station, following the stabbing of Thomas Taylor (Lucy North/PA)
They have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Luton Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Detectives investigating the case made three more arrests over the weekend, the force said.
A 16-year-old and an 18-year-old male were arrested on Saturday and remain in police custody for questioning.
An 18-year-old male was also arrested and has been released on bail as inquiries continue.
Detective Inspector Richard Stott, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain very much with Thomas’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.
“We understand this was a shocking incident and we would like to reassure our local community that we are working tirelessly on this case and would urge anyone with information to get it touch with us.”
Anyone with any information which could assist the investigation is asked to call police on 101 quoting Operation Cimarron or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.