Hackney ‘murder’: Screams after ‘playful’ boy, 4, stabbed to death at home as woman arrested and cops seen ‘shaking’

HORRIFIED neighbours have claimed they heard screams before a "playful" four-year-old was discovered stabbed to death at an east London home.

Cops have today arrested a 41-year-old woman after the young lad was found on Montague Road, Hackney last night.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at 10.50pm after receiving a call raising concerns for the welfare of a child.

Inside the home cops found a four-year-old boy had suffered knife injuries.

He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries shortly after.

A 41-year-old woman, who was known to the boy, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

The lad’s father, who is from the south east of , is understood to have been planning a trip back to Ireland over the  period to meet extended family.

Those who live nearby have now opened up about their shock over the youngster's death.

A mum-of-three who lives in the area said the lad was a "happy boy".

The 36-year-old told The Sun: “He was very energetic. I see him out playing on his scooter.

"He was a happy child. A very happy child."

The mum claimed she had heard a woman screaming as the horror unfolded, before cops were seen walking out of the house "crying and shaking".

She added: "They couldn’t hold it in.

"It’s a shock to all of us here.”

Another resident who lives on the street said: "We heard commotion last night outside our window and came downstairs to lots of police cars and an ambulance.

"There were people standing on the street crying.

"We had no idea what was happening and an officer told us to go back inside.

"We can't believe what's happened. We only just found out."

Forensic officers were seen entering the home this afternoon.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway who leads policing for Hackney and Tower Hamlets said: “This is an extremely distressing incident which will understandably cause shock and disbelief amongst the local community and those who attended the scene.

"We are working with our partners, including Hackney Council and the school community, to ensure support is there for people who need it.

"Specialist officers from our homicide team are progressing this investigation and continue to work to establish the circumstances of this young child’s death, and the events that led up to it.

"This incident occurred within the home and, while is no wider public safety risk, additional officers will be present in the area as we recognise the impact this will have on the community.”

It comes after a woman was shot dead nearby earlier this month.

"Beautiful" mum Lianne Gordon was gunned down and killed in a triple shooting in front of her daughter in a suspected case of mistaken identity on Vine Close.