A GRIEF-stricken teenager wept "they've killed my best friend" after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in a mass brawl in North London.
The lad was knifed after hoards of youths were turned away from a 16th birthday party at Collier Row Community Centre in Romford last night.
He is said to have been waiting for a lift home to Thurrock, Essex when he was jumped and left for dead before a nearby pal screamed, "They've killed my best friend — they've killed him".
A mum whose flat overlooks the police cordon just yards from the scene said panic erupted at around 8:30pm.
She told The Sun Online: "I was sitting in the living room when I heard a load of noise coming from outside.
"There were loads of kids screaming in terror and running away — then swarms of police showed up.
"Reports said there were around 100 youths but I swear it must have been at least 200.
"They were all kids dressed up for a party. I think they must have been from outside the area because I didn't recognise any of them."
A young couple described being drawn to a window by "running, shouting and screaming" and seeing a large group huddled around the body.
Two witnesses, both 20, said, "Some people were running toward the body, some people were running away, there were cars coming and picking people up.
"It was all kicking off. There was all this screaming."
Forensics officers were today seen scouring the street after the murder probe was launched.
Three male teenagers remain in custody at separate police stations on suspicion of killing the lad — the youngest victim to be fatally stabbed in the capital this year.
Romford MP calls on Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan to give more police resources in wake of 15-year-old boy stabbed to death at a birthday party
A bus driver in his fifties also suffered a head injury in chaotic scenes which saw armed police and paramedics race to the area at 9:05pm last night.
Another neighbour told The Sun Online how the attack — one of at least 80 suspected murders being investigated in London since the beginning of the year — has left locals "afraid to leave our homes".
The dad, who gave his name as Mark, said: "This is a nice close-knit community — but now we're all scared to leave our homes.
"I'm a foster parent, and most of my neighbours have kids. I just think it's so tragic.
"I blame the Government for the cuts. There is nothing for young kids to do now to keep them off the streets.
"The knife crime is going up, and there are so many drugs — it's devastating. It does worry you and make you wonder if you are safe in your own neighbourhood.
"I don't care what the Mayor says. We need more police officers on the streets right now."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan today said in a statement: "My thoughts are with the family and friends of the 15-year-old who was fatally stabbed following a party in Romford last night.
"Violent crime is rising across our country and these senseless deaths are devastating families and communities, causing pain, loss and fear."
He added: "These appalling crimes will not be tolerated in London.
"There are no excuses for carrying a knife."
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "There are always dos at that community centre but I've never seen a crowd like it.
"They were all going mad, screaming and running, and then a huge police presence showed up within about eight minutes.
"I saw at least two armed officers, and there were police dogs and everything."
Local MP Andrew Rosindell called the tragedy "shocking news for Romford".
He said: "We must now wait for all the facts about this incident to be released.
"Until then, our condolences must go to the family of the young boy whose life has so tragically been cut short on our streets tonight."
Detective Sergeant Gurj Singh said: “Response officers who attended the initial calls were confronted with up to 100 youths leaving a birthday party gathering at a Community Centre.
"There appeared to be fighting and tragically a teenager has been found with fatal injuries.
“I would like to directly appeal to those present to contact police about what they saw and heard to help my team build a clearer picture of what took place.
"Equally, if you have video footage or images of the violent aftermath to the party, we need to hear from you.”
The victim's family have been informed.
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Violent crime has continued to sweep the capital this year with the murder rate overtaking New York for the first time ever.
There have been more than 80 killings in London in 2018, with figures released last week revealing knife crime has risen by 22 per cent.
And the shocking stats also showed 2017 was the worst year for fatal stabbings among young people since 2002.
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