Stabbed boy, 16, died from neck wound - police

A murder investigation has been launched after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Huddersfield.

Emergency services were called to Ramsden Street in the town centre at about 14:45 BST on Thursday and the boy was taken to hospital where he later died from injuries to his neck.

West Yorkshire Police said a 20-year-old man from Kirkburton had been arrested on suspicion of murder and another man, 22, and woman, 20, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All remain in custody.

In an update on Friday afternoon, the force said the stabbing was not gang-related, as it warned the public to be wary of false information.

It said: "We are aware of misinformation circulating on social media, specifically X, regarding the circumstances of the incident and the ethnicities of those involved.

"We are limited in what we can say legally, but what we can advise is the incident is not gang-related or linked to any wider dispute between groups."

A crime scene was in place for most of Friday around New Street and Ramsden Street as officers investigated.

The scene stretched from the borough's town hall up to the road's junction with New Street.

Pedestrianised New Street had been host to a number of stalls for a continental market on the day of the incident.

One man, who did not want to be named, said he saw the teenager being stabbed and went to try and help.

"I went to get a first aid kit and defib but by the time I got there, emergency services were treating him.

"There was blood all over the pavement. It was awful."

Some tents from the continental market are unable to open because they form part of the police cordon.

Debra Balmforth, shop manager at Barnados, had arrived at work at 15:00 BST when the area in front of the store was being cordoned off.

"We had no idea what had happened at first. Customers then started coming in saying there was blood on the precinct and someone had been stabbed.

"It was a sunny day yesterday, there were lots of people in town given the food market was on too.

"It's shocking that something like that can happen in a main shopping precinct in the middle of the day. It's just so sad."

One of the stall holders said it was his first visit to Huddersfield as part of the continental market.

"It's heartbreaking that a young lad has lost his life. Sixteen is no age at all. Knife crime is terrifying."

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Damian Roebuck said: "This is a tragic incident where a young man has lost his life as a result of a knife injury.

"We have a team of dedicated detectives who are at the scene and investigating this fatal attack.

"Our initial investigations do indicate that it was an isolated incident, and local neighbourhood officers are carrying out reassurance patrols in the area."

He added: "I want to thank witnesses who have come forward so far and would urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that can help our inquiry to please come forward."

Kirklees Council leader Carole Pattison said she was "deeply shocked" by the incident, adding: "My thoughts are with the family of the victim and everyone who has been affected."

Ms Pattison said: "Huddersfield remains open for business today but some parts of the town centre will be closed off to allow police to do their work.

"Visitors to the town centre will also see an increased police presence both to support the investigation and to reassure our community."

West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, urged people not to worry as incidents like this were "rare".

"West Yorkshire is a safe place to live, work and play," she said.

"Even though we've had several young people die across West Yorkshire by knife crime over the last five years, it is still a very rare event."

Ms Lowe called the teenager's death "an absolute tragedy" and said more needed to be done to prevent such crimes.

Huddersfield MP Harpreet Uppal said it was important to remember this was an isolated incident and asked people to follow official channels of information.

"I know there has been some disinformation already spread on social media which happens far too often and too quickly," she said.

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