Two more fatal knife attacks have claimed lives in London as police battle a rise in violent crime.

So far this year 16 people have been stabbed to death in the capital, five of whom were teenagers.

The latest murders both took place in Camden, north London, on Tuesday, with the first victim, believed to be aged in his late teens, found with stab wounds in Bartholomew Road at about 8.30pm.

Less than two hours later police were called to Malden Road and found a second man, believed to be about 20 years old, with serious stab wounds. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

A section 60 order – which gives police the right to search people when they believe serious violence will take place – was put in place overnight.

Detectives from Scotland Yard’s murder squad are investigating whether there is any link between the deaths.

A third victim who was stabbed in Kensington on Sunday has been named as 19-year-old Lewis Blackman, also from Camden.

The killings come amid concern over a surge in knife crime. 

In the year to September 2017, England and Wales saw a rise of 21% in recorded crimes involving a knife, including a 13% rise in homicides; a 44% rise in sexual assaults and 28% rise in rapes where a bladed weapon was used, compared with the previous year.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.