Four teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the stabbing of a 17-year-old in West Kensington, London.

The victim, named locally as West London College student Ayub Hassan, was found with stab injuries to his chest on Thursday afternoon.

Police were called to Lanfrey Place at 2.14pm and Mr Hassan was taken to hospital but later died.

A family friend paid tribute to him as a “kind and handsome” boy with ambitions of becoming a barrister.

He was the 17th person to be killed by a knife in London in 2019.

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Forensics officers began searching a drain on North End Road on Thursday evening, and photographs taken at the scene appear to show a knife which had been extracted from the drain.

The four arrested suspects were all male, two 15-year-olds and two others aged 17 and 18.

After laying flowers at the scene, family friend Amina Osman told the Press Association: “He had ambitions, he was looking forward to being a barrister. He was looking forward to being a grown-up man.

“He was good with his words, he was very kind and handsome.”

But she said the fatal attack was “the fourth attempt on his life”, having previously been found unconscious in a park, run over and having been stabbed on another occasion.

The community support worker revealed he is one of three children – with a younger sister and brother – and said his mother Siraad collapsed with the shock of the news of his death.

A spokeswoman for West London College said: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely death of former student, Ayub Hassan.

“Understandably, this is a very difficult time for students and staff and we are continuing to offer them advice and support.

“We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to his family and many friends as they deal with the tragic loss of a loved one. Our thoughts are with them.”

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Chief Superintendent Rob Jones, Central West Area Commander, said: “A crime scene remains at Lanfrey Place, and our colleagues from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

“There will be a heightened visible police presence in the area and local officers will also be supported by central specialist units to prevent any potential further incidents.

“Violent crime is a priority and the police, our partners and the public must continue to work together to deal with knife crime and prevent further young lives being lost.

“We can’t combat knife crime alone, as a community we all have a vital role to play in tackling violent crime.