Four young men have been stabbed to death in London, in a string of apparently unrelated murders over the New Year period.

The victims - a 17-year-old, an 18-year-old and two 20-year-olds - died between New Year's Eve and the early hours on Monday following knife attacks.

The four incidents happened in north, east and south London, and none are thought to be linked.

Five males, aged between 17 and 21, have been arrested in connection with the death of the 18-year-old in Enfield, north London on the morning of New Year's Eve.

Scotland Yard said a 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder over the New Year's Day stabbing at a house party in Islington, north London.


Image: Police cordon off the scene in Tulse Hill

The other attacks happened in Tulse Hill, West Ham and Old Street.

Police said the 17-year-old victim, who died in Tulse Hill, may have been killed following an "altercation" on a number 68 bus travelling towards Herne Hill.

Sunday's stabbings - at 11.30am in Larmans Road, Enfield, 7.35pm at Memorial Avenue in West Ham, and 10.40pm in Norwood Road in Tulse Hill - took the number of people stabbed to death in the capital last year to 80.

Of those, 18 involved victims under the age of 19.

The New Year's Day stabbing occurred at Bartholomew Court, Old Street. Police have arrested a 19-year-man over the attack.

Met Police Commander Neil Jerome said four deaths in such a short period was unusual.

"There were small groups who chose to engage in disorder and violence, and whose actions have had utterly tragic consequences," he said.

Image: Forensic experts look for clues after a fatal attack at Bartholomew Court, Old Street

"It is heart-breaking that, at a time when so many of us are contemplating what lies ahead in 2018, four families are dealing with the grief of losing a loved one to senseless violence and the callous use of knives as lethal weapons."

He went on: "I can assure Londoners - and the families and friends of the four males killed and the fifth who remains in hospital - that detectives will work tirelessly to bring to justice those responsible for such despicable acts of violence."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "My thoughts today are with the families of four young men who have tragically been killed in four unrelated stabbings in our city last night.

"The police have today assured me that everything is being done to bring to justice those responsible for these appalling acts of violence."

Image: A police van at the scene of a fatal stabbing in West Ham, east London

:: The Met Police is urging anyone with any information to call police on 101. If they wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.