A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Louis Johnson in East Croydon station. 

Louis, 16, was attacked "with a machete" on the overbridge near the rear entrance to the busy train station during rush hour on Monday (January 27). 

British Transport Police confirmed early on Wednesday morning (January 29), that a 16-year-old boy from Balham had been arrested on suspicion of murder. 

Police have also released the first picture of the victim who was killed in an attack which lasted just 40 seconds.  According to his friends he had been on his way home from a meeting with the Youth Offending Team in Battersea. 

His friend added that his death was likely due to a "postcode war" and that he was seen as an “opportunity” having lived in Tooting and Lewisham before moving to South Norwood. 

They also revealed that a stranger had attacked him earlier that day at 11am and that he knew he was being targeted.  The Youth Offending Team had reportedly offered him a £50 Tesco voucher if he made it home by 6pm but rather than taking the taxi as planned, he took the train. 

“He would have been getting the train to Norwood Junction to give the Tesco voucher to his mum," his friend Ashanti from Catford said. 

“He would have been happy to look after his mum.  She was the only person he really cared for.  He cared for his friends but his mum was his world. 

“I saw a picture of him on social media after it happened and it broke my heart.  You don’t expect to be lying in bed and find out your friend has died. 

“It is difficult, it happened less than 24 hours ago.  Other friends from school are sad but don’t have the strength to come here today.” 

Police had been compiling CCTV and witness accounts from commuters who were caught up in the ugly attack at a time when the station was at its busiest.