None of the agencies working with murdered schoolboy Jordan Watson could have foreseen the tragedy, says an official report.

That is the verdict of a high-level review which has examined what lessons can be learned from the horrific events surrounding the 14-year-old's death in June last year at the hands of weapons fanatic George Thomson.

He lured the schoolboy to Upperby Cemetery in Carlisle late at night and then stabbed him to death. Thomson, 19, helped by two accomplices, wanted Jordan dead because he was obsessed with his girlfriend.

The new report – from the Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) – reveals how Jordan was increasingly drawn into risk-taking behaviour.

He associated with known criminals, skipped school, and dabbled in cannabis.

Yet despite the repeated efforts of various agencies and his parents to help him get his life back on track, Jordan, of Ridley Road, Currock, continued to rebel and go missing overnight as he spent more time with known offenders.

The report suggests more should have been done to challenge Jordan's risk-taking given that agencies knew about it.

Agencies working with such children should consider the possible long-term consequences of risk-taking behaviour and how to manage it, says the report.

The document refers to what the authors call emerging local “criminal gangs” and their impact on drug and knife crime, adding: “Agencies engaging with families should give consideration to the local context in which the family is operating and the wider span of influences that may be impacting on the children.”

The report concludes that it would have been impossible to have foreseen Jordan's murder, but it says a more robust “return home interview” process is now in place for children who have been missing.

The LSCB report's recommendations include a suggestion that the board should raise awareness of the risks associated with substance misuse, particularly among young people who are vulnerable.

Gill Rigg, the independent chairwoman of the board, said lessons can always be learned from such tragedies. “There was some very positive communication between agencies but the reality is that adolescents push boundaries,” she said.

“There are issues around cannabis use and challenging risk-taking behaviour, but I don't think anyone could have foreseen the circumstances in which this boy died.

“It's a tragic case.”

Thomson, 19, and Brahnn Finley, of Furze Street, off London Road, also 19, were convicted of murdering Jordan while Daniel Johnston, 20, was convicted of manslaughter.

Thomson, of Upperby Road, Upperby, and Finley were jailed for life and must serve minimum terms of 27 and 14 years respectively.

Johnston, of Petteril Bank Road, Harraby, was jailed for 10 years.