The officer investigating Charlie Kutyauripo’s murder has appealed for friends of the victim “not to seek retribution”.

Charlie was stabbed to death outside a girl’s 16th birthday party on Saturday night at a social club at the Ashton Playing Fields, Chigwell Road.

The 16-year-old, from Collier Row, got into a confrontation with four young men outside the club before one stabbed him. They then fled towards Chigwell Road.

Friends at the party tried to save him before police and paramedics arrived at around 9.40pm, but he died just over an hour later at Whipps Cross University Hospital.

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Mark Lawson told the Recorder: “I would appeal to the young people out there who knew the victim not to seek retribution – let us get on with our job and bring Charlie’s killers to justice.”

He added the motive had nothing to do with a tracksuit, despite the reports in some papers.

Redbridge’s top police officer called on parents to hand over their children if they suspect they were involved in the attack.

Borough commander Det Ch Supt Sue Williams said parents must tell police if they think their child carries a knife.

“I’m sure they [parents] know or they might see a kitchen knife missing – what’s to stop a parent looking through their child’s bag if their children are under 18.”

So far no arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For the latest on the Charlie Kutyauripo murder read the full interviews with both police officers in tomorrow’s Recorder.