Cambridge murder probe: Police say answers lie with the city’s young people

Detectives who launched a murder investigation after a 17-year-old boy died in a stabbing say the answers lie within Cambridge’s young population.

Jesse Nwokejiobi, who previously attended North Cambridge Academy, died in the vicinity of Logan’s Meadow, not far from his home in Edinburgh Road, Cambridge, in what police believe was a targeted attack.

Three boys – two aged 14 and one aged 17 – have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Supt Adam Gallop, head of local policing for the south of Cambridgeshire, told the Cambridge Independent: “My appeal today is for information – and information in particular from young people in Cambridge. It’s a tragic crime where the victim is only 17 years old, but equally tragic is the age of the suspects.

“The answer to exactly what has gone on lies with the young population of Cambridge.”

Police were called by the ambulance service at 2.52pm on Saturday (November 19) with reports of a stabbing. Despite the efforts of paramedics, Jesse was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination on Wednesday morning concluded that Jesse died from a single stab wound to his chest. Searches continue for any weapon that may have been used.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested at his home in Cambridge at about 11.30pm on Saturday, while another 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy were both arrested at their homes in South Cambridgeshire at around midnight the same night. They have now been released on bail to return to Thorpe Wood police station in Peterborough on February 20.

Supt Gallop said: “We know there are a lot of people in the community who are talking about what has happened, including images and videos being circulated on social media.

“My plea is for parents and guardians to speak with their children and do the right thing by contacting us with information.

“I want to reassure the community that because they may have something on their phone, doesn’t mean they are in trouble, but evidentially it could help our investigation.”

And he told the Cambridge Independent that young people may hold vital information.

“It will be frightening if you’re 12, 13, 14 years old but there’s a lot of material that’s circulating on social media and that can be quite difficult for us to access despite our best efforts.

“So if you see a picture or an image, or hear a little piece of gossip then my appeal to that young person is [to] talk to your parents, talk to your older sibling or whoever it is that you trust and share that information which can be done anonymously.”

Supt Gallop said police were working with social media companies but “ultimately, we need to be able to try and speak to those people that know what’s happened”.

He continued: “I’m certain there are groups of young people in Cambridge that have got some really good information and the appeal is for those people to come forward with the confidence that if you don’t want to talk to the police directly then talk to an older brother or sister or talk to a teacher or someone you trust because it must be really quite distressing.

“Imagine being that age and knowing, holding on to a piece of information about something this serious. You can’t own that piece of information for the rest of your life without telling someone and the sooner you tell someone the better.”

“Don’t sit on that information, tell someone about it.”

Supt Gallop also appealed to anyone in the wider community who may have been in the area of the incident between 2pm and 3pm on Saturday.

“You may have seen something that might not immediately or obviously seem relevant, but any little bit of that jigsaw puzzle, please come forward. And likewise if you’re talking to friends or family and you’re chatting about the incident, and you hear a piece of information third-hand then don’t be afraid to contact us yourself because sometimes that piece of information just builds up the picture,” he said.

Supt Gallop said the police’s local community team was working alongside the major crime unit and the area’s schools as engagement with young people was “absolutely critical” to finding the answers.

He said a support network was available for young people who are “absolutely frightened” by this, via local partners including schools.

Supt Gallop said they were looking at all the individuals that “we believe may or may not be involved in the incident or on the periphery of the incident” as there was always a “risk of reprisal” when there was a victim of crime, but the force was not aware of “anything specific” at the moment.

Nonetheless, it remained a “key area of our investigation”, he added.

Supt Gallop added that the force was also “very, very conscious of” the impact of attending the scene on officers and the traumatic experience of dealing with the families of victims in incidents like this.

He said the force had “high level of psychological support” and that alongside formalised support, officers were supporting each other.

The death has left the local community in shock.

Cllr Alice Gilderdale, executive city councillor for recovery, employment and community safety, said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Jesse’s family and friends at this terrible time. The news of his murder is deeply sad, especially as those involved are so young, and incredibly shocking, with incidents like this being rare in Cambridge.

“If anyone has been impacted by the incident and would like support, they can contact the Victim and Witness Hub on 0800 781 6818 or online at cambsvictimservices.co.uk.

“We are working closely with the police and are supporting their appeal for information. There are lots of people in the community who are talking about what has happened. We’re encouraging parents and guardians to speak with their children and if anyone has any information about the incident please report it to the police.”

Anyone with information can report it via the major incident public portal. Anyone without internet access should call 101 and quote Operation Helix. If you wish to stay anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.