A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered by police for information that leads to the arrest and conviction following the murder of an 18-year-old.

Sami Sidhom was stabbed to death in Chestnut Avenue, Forest Gate on Monday, April 19, shortly after getting off the bus at Romford Road.

Metropolitan Police, London Ambulance and London’s Air Ambulance Service were called at approximately 10:50pm on Monday, to reports of a stabbing.

Sadly, Mr Sidhom was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:27pm, a post-mortem examination found the cause of death to be multiple stab wounds.

The investigation revealed that the 18-year-old was killed by a number of suspects in Chestnut Avenue as he returned home from a West Ham United football match.

Sami's father, Samer Sidhom, made an emotional appeal for information. He said: " Sami was a wonderful son. He was a kind young man who always tried to help his family, friends and colleagues, and was respected by everyone who knew him.

“He did everything right. He fought hard to win his place in society and some cowards in the dark stabbed him in the back.

"My son's killers are still walking the streets free of conviction or charge. I need you to provide the evidence to convict them. You know who you are and you have a choice.

“A choice to be someone that hides in the dark, or a brave person who sets the record straight. If you know the killers you already know they killed a perfectly innocent person for no reason whatsoever.

"He has done nothing to anyone; he was never involved in anything and had nothing to do with his killers. The only person that would stop them from doing the same to you is you.

“You need to stand up and provide the evidence or information that will put them behind bars for a lifetime. You owe it to yourself and to an innocent brilliant young man.”

He added: "Every day they spend in freedom, Sami spends in a grave from which he'll never return. The brutality of his death is compounded by the indifference and the silence of those that can bring him justice.

"We, his family, relive his murder everyday knowing that a beloved son and an aspiring lawyer has been failed by everyone."

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Wrigley from the Met's Serious Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said: "The investigation into Sami's death has progressed and a total of nine people have been arrested.

“Sami was almost home when he was attacked. I know that there were witnesses to what happened. People at the scene know who took Sami's life and why. I urge you to come forward and tell the truth about what you know.

“No matter how unimportant your information may seem, it could help take a dangerous and violent criminal off of your local streets and you could be eligible for a £20,000 reward.

Eight people have been arrested in connection with the murder. They are:

[A] A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on April 23. He has been released under investigation.

[B] A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder on May 3. He has subsequently been released and no further action will be taken against him.

[C] A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on May 4. He has been released under investigation.

[D] A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on May 4. He has been released under investigation.

[E] A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on May 10. He has been released under investigation.

[F] A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder on May 10. He has been released under investigation.

[G] A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 13. He has been released under investigation.

[H] A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 16. He has been released under investigation.

(I) A 21-year-old male arrested on August 21 on suspicion of murder. He has been released under investigation

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8345 3715 or Tweet @MetCC.

Information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.