Three teenagers stabbed in Old Kent Road

Officers were called at approximately 4.40pm to reports of three youths suffering from injuries consistent with stabbing.

The three males, all believed to be in their teens, were taken to separate hospitals suffering from what appear to be stabbing injuries.

One is in a critical condition with a head injury, one of the males is in a serious but stable condition with a chest injury and the other is in a stable condition with minor injuries.

Police say that at this early stage it is believed the three youths were in an altercation with a group of black males.

"We are appealing for anyone who was in the Old Kent Road at around 4.30pm to come forward," says DI Bernie Galopin of Southwark CID.

"There would have been a large amount of cars and commuters making their way home at this time. Please ring 020 7232 6145 and speak to either myself or DS Adrian Brown or if you would prefer to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Roads were closed whilst emergency services dealt with the incident causing long traffic jams around Bricklayers Arms and Elephant & Castle.

The assault comes soon after a spate of incidents involving knives and firearms in the Old Kent Road area this summer.