Whitechapel stabbings: Man murdered near London Tube station as three others attacked

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A man has been stabbed to death in London, in an incident where three others suffered knife injuries.

Police said the victim, in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene of the attack in Whitechapel.

Officers were called to a flat in Buckle Street, near Aldgate East underground station, shortly before 9am on Saturday.

“A male, in his 20s, was found with stab injuries,” a spokesperson for Scotland Yard said.

“Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries are ongoing to inform his next of kin.

“Three other males with stab injuries were treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital.”

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

The Metropolitan Police said its Specialist Crime Command has been informed.

Blakeney Tower was cordoned off on Saturday afternoon as the investigation continued, with forensic investigators on the scene.

Police officers were interviewing residents and at least two men were seen being led out of the block in handcuffs.

On Tuesday, a 40-year-old man was fatally injured in Whitechapel.

He was found collapsed with a head injury in Nelson Street on Tuesday night and died two days later in hospital, sparking a murder investigation.

At almost exactly the same time, a teenager was stabbed to death in a “particularly vicious attack” in Ilford, east London.

Mohammed Usman Mirza, 19, suffered multiple knife wounds on Tuesday and police believe the murder was gang-related.

According to a tally by the BBC, Mr Mirza was the 23rd teenager to be stabbed to death in London so far this year.

It is the highest level since 2008, following rising knife crime and violence across England and Wales.

Last year saw the highest number of homicides recorded in London for a decade, with the total standing at 136.

Earlier this year, Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick said violent crime was falling following an increase in the use of stop and search.

She previously said there was “some link” between the loss of more than 20,000 police officers since 2010 and rising violence.

As prime minister, Theresa May claimed there was “no direct correlation”, but Boris Johnson has vowed to recruit 20,000 new police officers in the next three years and increase stop and search powers further.

Anyone with information on the stabbing in Whitechapel, or pictures or video footage that could assist police, is asked to call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.