Alan Cartwright murder: Three arrests made over 'shocking' cyclist stab attack

Arrests come after emotional appeal from family to track down the 15-year-old's killers

Undated family handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of Alan Cartwright, as arrests were made in connection to the murder of the teenager (PA)

Police have arrested two teenagers and a 21-year-old man following an appeal into the “shocking” murder of 15-year-old schoolboy Alan Cartwright, stabbed to death while riding his bicycle with friends.

Footage of the incident on a busy road in Islington, north London showed the moment the boy was attacked in the suspected bike robbery. He was able to ride on a short distance before collapsing and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem revealed that Alan died from a single stab wound to the chest. The video also showed two of the boy’s three friends knocked from their own bicycles, which are used by two of the suspects to flee the scene.

The moment Alan Cartwright was stabbed (Met Police)

The Met Police said three suspects had been arrested on suspicion of murder after Alan’s family made an emotional appeal for witnesses on Tuesday.

Officers said an 18-year-old man had handed himself in to a north London police station, while a 17-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man were arrested in Camden, north London, on Wednesday morning.

Fighting back tears at a press conference yesterday, Alan’s mother Michelle Watson, 39, described the young army cadet and Arsenal fan as a “joker” who loved bicycles and never got into trouble.

Michelle Watson, 39, and Cherrie Smith, 21, the mother and sister of murdered school boy Alan Cartwright, speak during a press conference at New Scotland Yard (PA)

“He always made you laugh about anything and everything. He was just the funny one out of his friends,” she said.

“I feel angry, I want somebody found for this. I just feel numb.”

Yesterday, the detective leading the investigation for the Met Police’s Homicide and Major Crime Command unit said the footage of the incident was “truly shocking” and said the hunt for three suspects was the force’s “absolute priority”.

Floral tributes left to Alan Cartwright on Caledonian Road (PA)

Det Chief Inspector Chris Jones said: “Alan stood no chance of defending himself against his attacker who casually stepped out in front of him and stabbed him in the chest.”

Anyone with information can call the incident room on 020 8345 3734 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.