Schoolboy stabbed to death in Reading named by police

The 13-year-old schoolboy stabbed to death in Reading has been identified as Oliver Lucas Stephens, known as Olly.

Four boys and a girl have been arrested by police investigating the fatal attack on the teenager.

Officers were called just before 4pm on Sunday following reports of a stabbing in Bugs Bottom fields, an area popular with joggers and walkers in Emmer Green.

In a statement, Thames Valley Police said: "He (the victim) has now been identified as Oliver Lucas Stephens, known as Olly, from Reading.

"His family are being supported by specially trained officers and we would ask that their privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time."

Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown said his thoughts were with Olly's family.

He added: "I would urge anyone who has any information that they believe is relevant to this investigation, no matter how small you think it is, to please get in touch."

Parents laying flowers at Highdown School called the killing "utterly senseless" and said their children who attended school with Olly were "devastated".

One card read: "Fly high Olly, love you loads, night night. We're all gonna miss you.

"Our angel Olly, gone way too soon, you didn't deserve this, in my heart forever."

Another read: "Dearest Olly, Taken way too soon, you were such a lovely lad. Loved by many. Thinking and sending love to your family at this sad time."

Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading East, told the PA news agency he was "deeply shocked" at the killing.

He said: "I offer my deepest condolences to this poor lad's family and friends.

"I was deeply shocked by it, apparently this poor lad was barely 13 years old.

"It's quite astounding really. It must have been truly dreadful to be here at the time.

"This is a very quiet area, a suburban area on the edge of town and typically on a Sunday afternoon, when the incident happened, you would have a lot of families, people walking their dogs in this country park, a well known beauty spot which is very quiet and pleasant."

Earlier today, Rachel Reeves, headteacher of Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre, where Olly attended, paid tribute to him and said the community was "reeling from his death".