Two boys, both 16, stabbed to death around a mile apart in southeast London

Two 16-year-old boys have been stabbed to death in two locations around a mile apart in southeast London, police have said.

Detectives are investigating whether there is a link between the two killings which are believed to have happened at around the same time.

Officers were called at around 5.10pm on Saturday to reports of people injured in Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, and Titmuss Avenue, Thamesmead.

At each scene they found a 16-year-old who had been stabbed.

Both youths were later pronounced dead.

A murder investigation into the deaths is under way.

Given the proximity in time and distance of the incidents, officers are trying to establish any link between the two deaths, the Metropolitan Police said.

Crime scenes are in place at both locations and a Section 60 order, providing officers with additional search powers, is in place until 8am on Sunday.

The two boys’ next of kin will be provided with support by specialist officers, police said.