Boy, 16, stabbed to death on New Year’s Eve named by police

A 16-year-old boy stabbed to death in north London on New Year’s Eve has been named by police.

Harry Pitman was fatally stabbed in Primrose Hill, sparking a murder investigation.

He was attacked about 11.30pm and declared dead at the scene shortly before midnight despite attempts at first aid from police officers before paramedics and an air ambulance arrived. 

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody, the Metropolitan Police said.

Primrose Hill was cordoned off on Monday morning as dozens of police patrolled the area, which is a popular spot for revellers to watch the capital’s New Year’s Eve fireworks.

One local woman said there were “hundreds if not thousands” of people on the hill at the time of the attack.

She said: “It’s not just a young people’s party – there would have been families with young children there, too.

“It would have been rammed. It’s not just locals – people come from miles around.”

Another local, who wished not to be named, described the incident as “tragic but inevitable”, explaining he had made “hundreds” of complaints to police about anti-social behaviour in the park.

He said it had become a “party hotspot” with drugs and alcohol since the pandemic.

Gina Germano, a mother of two teenage boys who were at Primrose Hill at the time of the attack, said she had “warned” them about gangs there, explaining it had become “rough” since 2020.

Police described the area as “very busy” on Sunday night and urged those with information to come forward.

(This story is being updated)