A 16-year-old has been confirmed as the victim of a fatal stabbing in Barking.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Police at the scene on Ripple Road near to the junction with Movers Lane in BarkingPolice at the scene on Ripple Road near to the junction with Movers Lane in Barking (Image: Archant)

The victim, named locally as Joshua Bwalya, was found lying on the ground with stab wounds on Movers Lane, near the junction with Ripple Road, early yesterday morning.

Police were called to the scene at 1am. Ambulance crews were also present, but pronounced the teenager dead on arrival.

His next of kin have been informed and a formal identification awaits. A post-mortem will be held today.

Devastated friends and family laid flowers and candles outside his home in Shipwright Court, Abbey Road.

“Rest well Joshua,” read one tribute. “Love you lots.”

A police cordon remains in place around the crime scene as officers hunt for clues.

Movers Lane, Ripple Road and several surrounding streets will remain closed “for the rest of the day, at least,” according to a police officer.

Police found two other males, aged 16 and 20, nearby with stab wounds. The Met Police have said that ambulance crews took them to separate hospitals where they were arrested on suspicion of murder.

The 16-year-old was later discharged and is now in custody at an east London police station, while the 20-year-old is still in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC) is now investigating.

Det Insp Paul Considine said: “We are aware that prior to the fatal stabbing there was a disturbance at a party in the Ripple Centre. I would therefore, like to hear from anyone who was either at the Ripple Centre or in the area of Movers Lane at the time of the attack who may have seen or heard something that could assist with our investigation.

“Whilst two arrests have been made, there are other people who are thought to be involved. It is vital that we discover what happened so that we can be certain of what led to a young man losing his life in such a violent way.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101. To give information anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.