A mother and daughter are fighting for their lives after being attacked in the street by a stranger, Scotland Yard has said.

Officers, who have recovered a hammer they think "may have been used in the assaults", described what happened as "violent and unprovoked".

The women were targeted in Adderley Gardens in Eltham, southeast London, where neighbours described hearing a scream and later seeing the pavement covered in blood.

Police were called at 12.10pm on Sunday to find the victims, aged 30 and 64, suffering from injuries "consistent with a violent assault".

They are are in a critical condition at south London hospitals and next of kin have been informed.


:: Anyone who sees Xuereb should call 999, quoting CAD 3412/19 August.

:: Alternatively, they can ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.