Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of murder after a teenager was stabbed to death at a council headquarters building in London.

David Wynter, 17, died on Tuesday afternoon at Brent Civic Centre on Engineers Way, Wembley, north-west London, after he was fatally stabbed shortly before 2.30pm.

The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was arrested on Tuesday and remains in custody.

Emergency services were called to the scene, which is where Brent Council’s headquarters and a library are based, after violence erupted.

According to Brent Council leader Muhammad Butt, some staff, residents and visitors witnessed the fatal attack take place, as he acknowledged the community had been left “shaken” by the incident.

In the aftermath of the incident, Butt said: “Today, Brent has been shaken by an appalling and deeply tragic incident at the civic centre, in which a person has lost their life.

“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, their family and loved ones, as well as the staff, residents and visitors who witnessed what happened.”

Butt added that council staff had also shown “professionalism, compassion and calm” in dealing with the “most difficult of circumstances”.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 2.25pm today to reports of a stabbing at Brent Civic Centre, Wembley, HA9.

“We sent an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars and an incident response officer.

“We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

“Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a patient was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Superintendent Chris Clarke added: “This was a tragic incident and we are aware of the significant concern the stabbing has caused in the local community.

“A police presence remains in and around the crime scene.

“We would like to reiterate that officers do not believe there is any wider risk to the community.”

Police have been granted a Section 60 order, which gives them greater powers to stop and search people and vehicles if they suspect serious violence might break out, until 3.30am on Thursday.

The order covers the Wembley Park, Barnhill, Tokyngton, Stonebridge, Roundwood, Dollis Hill, Willesden and Welsh Harp ward areas of Brent.

Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting the reference 4032/25AUG, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.