Two stabbings left young men seriously injured in Mitcham yesterday afternoon.

The attacks happened less than an hour apart and just a couple of streets away from each other - but a police spokesman said they are not thought to be linked.

The first saw a 20-year-old man stabbed in Burley Close.

Police were called at about 2.35pm and yesterday they described his condition as critical but stable.

An spokeswoman from London Ambulance said: "We were called at 2.35pm to reports of a stabbing in Burley Close, Mitcham.

"We sent one ambulance to the scene. Staff treated a 20-year-old man and took him to hospital."

The second attack saw a 19-year-old stabbed in Church Road at at 3.30pm. Yesterday he was in a critical but stable condition in a south London hospital where he is thought to be undergoing surgery.

Residents in the area said dozens of commuters at the bus stop attempted to help the victim as he lay on his back in the snow, and called the the emergency services.

Do you know anything about the incidents? Call the newsdesk on 020 8330 9532 or email newsdesk@wimbledonguardian.co.uk