20 arrested after school gang stabs boy to death at station

The teenagers, aged 14 to17, are being questioned over the murder of Sofyen Ghailan in a running knife battle that took place in front of evening commuters at London's Victoria station on Thursday.

Schoolgirls were also reportedly part of a mob that chased the victim into the underground station ticket hall where the attack happened. The boy was cornered and then stabbed repeatedly in the chest before being left dying in a pool of blood as the gang fled.

It is understood that the girls were not among those arrested and there is no suggestion that any took part in the attack.

Detectives suspect two groups – about 15 youths from west London and 20 from north-west London – converged on the station for a planned fight.

They are believed to be of Somalian or Afro-Caribbean origin. The gangs were reported to have come to blows in the days before the murder. Police have recovered several weapons, including two knives, from the scene.

It is believed that almost all of the killing was caught on CCTV cameras. Graham Lewis, a Tube worker, said: "My colleague who witnessed it said the victim was basically set upon by a gang of young boys. Some were wearing school uniform."

Det Supt Ashley Croft, of the British Transport Police, said: "This was a reckless act of violence that has resulted in a teenager tragically losing his life."

Sofyen, who was born in London and was of north African descent, was a pupil at Henry Compton Secondary School in Fulham.

The school has a history of knife violence involving pupils. Three years ago Kodjo Yenga, a pupil at the school, died in a knife attack.

In 2004 former pupil Elliot White, then 24, helped to kill John Monckton, a banker, who was stabbed in front of his wife and daughter at his Chelsea home.

Last night tributes were paid to Sofyen, from Acton, west London, on Facebook, the social networking site.

More than 100 people joined a group called RIP Sofyen.

Det Supt Ashley Croft, of British Transport Police, who is leading the inquiry, said it was a "reckless act of violence".

Refusing to confirm which school the suspected attackers were attending, Mr Croft added: "What I am looking at is the background to all the people in custody. We have arrested 20 people and that is a positive step.''

- Madhumitha