He was affectionately known as Fred to his friends and family, police said.

Officers were called to Harborough Road, close to the junction with The Cock Hotel in the suburb of Kingsthorpe, on Wednesday following reports that a boy had been stabbed.

Paramedics tried to save him but he died shortly after the attack, around 3.35pm.

Rohan died from a single stab wound to the chest, according to a forensic post-mortem examination, carried out by a Home Office pathologist at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Thursday.

Two men aged 49 and 21, and two boys aged 16 and 14, have been arrested in connection with the death and are all in police custody.

A police cordon remains in place at the scene.

Specialist officers are supporting Rohan's family who have been left "devastated" by the tragedy.

Northants Police's senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Simon Barnes, said: "This is an exceptionally sad and tragic incident in which a young boy with his whole life ahead of him has died and I want to reassure the public that we are absolutely determined to bring the people involved to justice.

"Arrests were promptly made this evening and enquiries are continuing to move at a fast pace however I would still appeal for any witnesses or anyone with information who has not yet come forward to please do so."

The incident is believed to be "isolated", DI Barnes said.

High-visibility police patrols will be taking place in the Kingsthorpe area of Northampton to reassure the local community.

Anyone with information, or anyone with CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage of the area at the time is urged to contact the force.