A 16-year-old boy has been found dead after a group of 30 men were seen armed with baseball bats near a railway station.

Ahmed Shamur, from Manor Park in east London, was found with head injuries on scrubland near Gallions Reach DLR station just after 8.30am on Tuesday.

His family had reported him missing in the early hours of that morning after he did not come home.

Witnesses reported seeing the large group of men carrying bats near the station at about 7.50pm the previous evening.

DCI Larry Smith said: “A young teenage boy has died and his family and friends are devastated. They want answers and they deserve all the help the public can give them.

“We need anyone with information to tell us what they know. In particular, we want to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Gallions Reach at around 8pm on Monday.

“If you were a passing motorist using a dashcam you may have recorded something vital. Please make contact. My officers are ready to take your call and you will be fully supported.”

Anyone with information can call police on 020 8345 3985 quoting CAD 1573/03MAR, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or online.