Pictured: Teenager knifed to death in postcode gang battle

Dale Robertson, 18, was stabbed in the chest and died after the youths clashed on Saturday night.

Emergency services were called to the street just after 11pm following reports that a man had been assaulted 'by a number of people.'

Dale Robertson was stabbed to death in Sheffield in what is believed to be a post code gang war

Witnesses said they saw the victim staggering in the street before he collapsed to the ground in a pool of blood.

The tragedy happened when a girl's birthday party spilled out on to the street and turned into a riot in the Parson's Green area of Sheffield.

A gang of up to 40 youths, some armed with baseball bats and knives, fought running battles in the street, it was claimed.

Dale later died in hospital, according to police. A post mortem examination revealed he died from a number of stab wounds to his chest.

Three youths, one aged 16 and two 17-year-olds, have been arrested in connection with his death.

Residents described running battles between the youths and said they are believed to have included members of the rival S5 and S6 postcode gangs - made up of youngsters from different areas of Parson Cross.

Police at the scene. Residents say the area is fraught with gang rivalry

The victim's family, from the Ecclesfield area of Sheffield, asked to be left to 'grieve in peace.'

Dale's friend Bradley Rickhuss, who lives just two doors away from where he was stabbed, described him as one of his best friends but said he had not realised the seriousness of what was happening outside his home.

The 22-year-old said: 'He was one of the safest people you could ever meet. He was not somebody who would go around making trouble.

'All I heard was shouting on the front but I didn't know it was my friend so I just sat in the house.' 

Dale was always the life and soul of any party, he added.

A 16-year-old, who witnessed the violence, said the fight involved two rival gangs.

'It all started after a bit of banter and name calling between the two gangs. One of them walked off to go home and then they all started fighting.

'About 40 people were involved in the fight, some were carrying baseball bats and knives. It lasted for about 10 minutes before the cops were called.

'At one point two cars came screeching up the street and you could hear them being trashed. You could hear them being kicked and I think one of the windscreens was smashed in.

'The lad managed to walk off before he collapsed on the ground. You could see the blood on the street this morning but the rain has washed it away now.'

The witness said a few members of the S6 gang were invited to the party but the rival gang turned up and trouble flared.

'There is a lot of rivalry between the two gangs, fights and stuff like that,' he added.

Tribute: Flowers left at the spot where Dale was stabbed

A resident, who asked not to be named, said the area did suffer from gang-related problems but said they had never before been as extreme as stabbings or murder.

'There are gangs about and they do come and go. There have been gang problems but the community support officers tend to get rid of them. It has improved recently,' he added.

Another resident, who also asked to remain anonymous, added: 'It is getting bad around here. You see youths on the street corner but you can't say anything.' 

Another woman, a pensioner who called the police last night, said: 'There was a tremendous noise and I looked out of the window and saw a lot of men fighting. I didn't dare go out so I phoned the police. The next thing I hear someone has been stabbed.'

Another added: 'You get your usual mobs of kids but no bother. I think everyone is shocked that it has happened around here.'

Police immediately cordoned off the murder scene and began searching for eyewitnesses to help them piece together what happened.

Scenes of crime officers combed the streets, gardens and nearby alleyways looking for forensic evidence. They could be seen looking under bushes and hedges.

Flowers were placed at the scene by tearful youths who gathered at the spot where Dale fell.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'Police believe the assault is linked to a disturbance outside a house shortly before.'