The number of violent deaths on the streets of London this year has surpassed the 2018 figure after the 133rd person of 2019 was killed in the capital.

On Thursday, a man believed to be in his 20s was stabbed to death in Clarence Mews, Hackney. Police were called at 2.01pm, but he died in the street at 2.33pm.

His death means this year has now become the bloodiest since 2008 when 154 homicides - which covers murder and manslaughter - were recorded in London.

In 2002 there was a spike in violent deaths with 221 recorded in London. From 2002 onward, the figure had been steadily decreasing and in 2014 the number was as low as 94.

But since then, violent killing on the streets of the capital have been on an upward curve.

Last year was the deadliest in 11 years when 132 were murdered or killed in London, and now 2019 has surpassed the grim milestone with 21 days of the year still to go.

The rise comes against the backdrop of increased police attempts to drive down knife crime in the city.

An increase in stop and search powers and Operation Spectre - where those carrying weapons are invited to hand their knives into police with no fear of repercussions - has proved to be unsuccessful, with the murder rate increasing year-on-year since 2016.