Second teenager stabbed to death in east London in just 72 hours

A second teenager has been stabbed to death in east London in just 72 hours.

The latest victim, who is believed to be 18 years old, was attacked at 2.45pm in Coolfin Road, Canning Town on Monday, the Metropolitan Police has announced.

The stabbing happened in broad daylight a mile away from where 14-year-old schoolboy Fares Maatou was fatally stabbed on Friday.

Fares was riding an electric scooter when he was attacked in Canning Town in the afternoon.

There was no suggestion at this early stage that the two Canning Town murders are linked.

The latest victim is the 12th teenager to be fatally stabbed in the capital already this year.

This compares to 17 teenagers in the whole of 2020.

It comes as tackling the city's knife crime epidemic has become one of the key talking points for the mayoral elections coming up in May.

Read: Tributes paid to ‘really nice boy’, 14, stabbed to death outside pizza restaurant

On Monday afternoon, police imposed a Section 60 order in the borough of Newham, which gives officers extra 'stop and search' powers until Tuesday morning.

A Met Police spokesman said: "A murder investigation is underway following a fatal stabbing in Canning Town.

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"Police were called at round 2.45pm to reports of a man, believed aged 18, stabbed in Coolfin Road.

"Officers and London Ambulance Service attended but, despite their best efforts, he died at the scene. A crime scene remains in place.

"Enquiries into the circumstances continue. There has been no arrests."

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He added: "A Section 60 has been authorised for the whole of Newham borough until 7am tomorrow."

Earlier, a 14-year-old boy accused of the murder of Fares Maatou was remanded in youth detention after appearing at Stratford Youth Court accused of murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

The suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Watch: Mothers recall 'hardest call' after sons were stabbed to death