Murdered 15-year-old Jay Hughes was known to social services, safeguarding agencies and police at least five months before his death, it has emerged.

Jay, who has been described as “sweet and caring”, died from a stab wound to the heart in an attack outside Morley’s chicken shop in Randlesdown Road on November 1.

New information has revealed Jay was known to social services, prompting concern about the protection of at-risk youths from knife crime and child criminal exploitation.

Jay fled police on a Santander bike with a group of males in late June before he was detained and found in possession of a knife, nearly five months before his murder.

News Shopper understands the Met Police shared this information with safeguarding agencies at Lewisham Council including the serious youth violence and violence reduction services.

Read more - Lewisham Council knew Deptford family at risk before arson attack, sources claim

Following his murder it also emerged the council-run CCTV facing Randlesdown Road where Jay was murdered had electrical faults, although the CCTV is now fully functional.

A 17 year-old boy from Penge, who cannot been named for legal reasons, has been charged with murder and will appear at Redbridge Juvenile Court today (December 12).

This comes after an investigation by our local democracy reporter revealed the family of seven-year-old autistic boy Joel Urhie was also known to police, social services and safeguarding agencies before he was killed in a suspected arson attack in Deptford in August.

Lewisham is a relatively young borough where one in four are aged under 19.

The rate of children aged between 10 and 17 coming into contact with the justice system is higher than England and London averages.

A Lewisham Council spokesperson confirmed Jay’s murder would be reviewed by the the child death overview panel, which answers to the Lewisham safeguarding children board.