Fake news site claimed boy had been stabbed in Northampton shopping centre

Prank site, breakingnews247.net 'reported' that the incident happened on March 23 at Weston Favell shopping centre.

In a disclaimer, the Belgium-based site, says: "This website is an entertainment website, the news is created by users. These are humourous news, fantasy and fictional, that should not be seriously taken or as a source of information."

The website invites people to write their own articles and trick their friends in a bid to make readers "curious."

Many people in Northampton believed the 'report' to be true and asked the Chronicle & Echo to look into the story.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police today confirmed that the incident didn't happen and was never reported as a crime.

Chronicle & Echo reader Gem Wheeler said: "It's sickening. The website posting it is apparently a prank site for fake news but people are worrying and thinking it's real. Very sad."

Resident, Nina Thomas said: "It's a big concern as a parent when stories like this are shared around that are not true."

Weston Favell shopping centre has refused to provide a statement, while breakingnews247.net have been approached for further comment.

The fake article has now been removed.