London news: Police launch major murder investigation as TWO teenage boys are stabbed to death within minutes - and a mile - of each other in early evening weekend 'incidents'

POLICE have launched a murder investigation into the fatal stabbing of two 16 year old boys in south east London.

The stabbings happened earlier on Saturday evening a mile apart in Greenwich.

Detectives are trying to determine whether the incidents are linked.

More than 10,5000 knife crimes have now been recorded in London this year, compared with 9,050 in the same period in 2021.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "At around 17:10hrs on Saturday, 26 November police were called to reports of people injured in Sewell Road, Abbey Wood and Titmuss Avenue, Thamesmead. The locations are approximately one mile apart.

"Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. At each location, they found a 16-year-old male with stab wounds.

"Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, both males have been pronounced dead this evening. Crime scenes are in place at both locations and an investigation into the deaths of both males is under way.

"Their next of kin will be provided with support from specialist officers.

"Given the proximity in time and distance of the incidents, officers will be seeking to urgently establish any link between them."

A Section 60 order, providing officers with additional search powers, is in place until 08:00hrs on Sunday, 27 November.

It comes just a day after terrified commuters watched as a teenage boy was brutally stabbed on a busy Victoria Line train in South London.

Police arrived at Stockwell station at around 3pm on Wednesday after reports of a stabbing, finding the 16-year-old boy with two puncture wounds in the latest violent knife attack to hit the capital.

An 18-year-old man has since been charged in connection with that incident.

Former Conservative Leader Iain Duncan Smith has hit out at the London Mayor for “doing next to nothing" to stop violent crime in London apart from "putting out statements.”

He said: “London is inundated with crime at the moment and – apart from putting out statements – Sadiq Khan has done next to nothing on this.

“We have gang warfare on the streets of London in some boroughs, yet Mr Khan’s priorities seem to be elsewhere.

“He needs to make this his number one priority and focus on getting rid of these gangs. Many constituents cannot see the point in him."

* Anyone with information on the Greenwich stabbings should call 101, giving the reference 4943/26NOV. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.