Four youths arrested over stabbed teenager

Four teenagers have been arrested over the murder of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella in north London, Scotland Yard said yesterday. The four, all in their late teens, were being held at north and east London police stations after being arrested on Monday and early yesterday.

"One was arrested in the Islington area yesterday afternoon, two were arrested at an address in Chadwell Heath late last night, and a fourth was arrested in Bethnal Green this morning," a spokesman said.

Kinsella was chased down a street in north Islington and stabbed to death by up to four teenagers after a fight at the Shillibeers pub and nightclub in the early hours of Sunday.

Police said they had had a good response to their appeals for witnesses but called for more to come forward.

"We are still keen to speak to witnesses, in particular anyone who saw the stabbing itself, or anyone who has information about the identity of the suspects," said Detective Chief Inspector John Macdonald.

The victim's sister, former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella, appealed on Monday for an end to the violence that had claimed his life and that of 16 other teenagers in London this year.

Shocked friends and local people left wreaths, flags and candles by the roadside at the site of his murder.

Two 16-year-old boys, who were arrested on Sunday following the attack, have been released on police bail.