THE first teen victim of knife crime in 2008 was killed by a stab wound to the chest, a post-mortem revealed yesterday.

Reports suggest Henry Bolombi, of Edmonton, was stabbed after being involved in a 20 minute chase with a rival gang from Tottenham.

The 18-year-old was killed in Plevna Road, off Fore Street in the early morning of New Year's Day after arriving from the West End on a night bus with nine friends.

An eyewitness said that a group of people aged about 17-18 ran off a 279 bus into Fore Street, and spent a while arguing with other youths in front of a supermarket before being chased along Fore Street.

Police were called at 6.30am. Mr Bolombi was taken to North Middlesex Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

An Incident Room has been set up at Hertford House, Barking, and police yesterday said they were keeping an open mind regarding the motive at this stage.