Parents are increasingly worried about the safety of their children after a teenager was murdered on a bus in South Norwood – the third fatal stabbing in Croydon this year.

Police were called to Whitehorse Lane at around 8.30pm on Sunday (March 8) to reports of a stabbing on a bus.

A boy, believed to be 17, was found with stab wounds and sadly died at the scene. No arrests have yet been made.

Locals say the attack took place near Selhurst Park on the 130 bus which runs between New Addington and Thornton Heath.

This morning residents were shocked that another young life had been lost on their doorstep.

John Ormesher said: “Every time this happens it is just another wasted life.

“There have been enough murders to see that something needs to be done, but it is very easy to say that and do nothing about it.”

Kieron McNulty from Selhurst said that his children, aged 16 and 14, are now frightened that they will be attacked where they live in Penge.

He added: “It is a worry, you’re worried about saying the wrong thing to someone and getting stabbed, that civility has gone.

“There has got to be more stuff for kids to do.”

A woman who has lived in the area for the past 65 years said that it has changed dramatically in that time.

She added: “I don’t go out at night anymore, things like this worry me.

“Why do they do it, the young ones? It’s all against each other. You’d think they would want to be kind to each other.”

And Kim Russell who lives nearby was shocked by the news.

She said: “It is very, very sad. I’ve got a teenage boy myself and I worry about him all the time.

“I am in this area every day and you don’t expect something like that to happen on a bus, I use the 130 twice a day.”

Another man on his way to the shops had not heard about the stabbing, but said that sadly incidents like this feel ‘normal to him now’.

And Ranim who runs Avantgarde Autos in Whitehorse Lane heard about the stabbing on his way to work this morning (March 9).

“It is tragic, I think more can be done to help the youngsters. They are killing each other.

“He is only 17, it is sad, what the parents are going to go through now.”

Croydon North MP Steve Reed branded knife crime a national crisis in a Tweet.

He wrote: “Another pointless horrific murder as a boy, 17, is stabbed to death on a bus in Whitehorse Lane. Thoughts with his family.

“Knife crime is a national crisis, it’s beyond time the government brought all relevant authorities and services together to stop it.”

While South Norwood councillor Patsy Cummings Tweeted that more must be done.

She said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of OUR son as we mourn another life lost in our community. Whilst we all work to tackle the causes of youth violence, it’s still happening – enough is enough!

“Those who can help to stop this are too often not at the table until another loved one is lost. We all must do more, I must do more.”

A Section 60 order, giving police additional stop and search powers, is active in Selhurst, Thornton Heath, Bensham Manor, South Norwood, Woodside, New Addington North and New Addington South.

It will be in place until 1.10pm today (March 9).