A man has been stabbed to death while reportedly trying to stop a mugging in north London.
Police were called at 5.27pm today to reports of an injured man on Essex Road, in Islington, the Met confirmed in a statement.
Officers found a man suffering from a stab wound and immediately provided first aid.
Despite their efforts, and that of the London Ambulance Service, the man, believed to be aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene at 5.58pm.
Reports on social media suggest it was a man who runs a florist in the area and that he had stepped in after witnessing a mugging, though the Met has not confirmed this.
Next of kin have been informed, a police statement continued.
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A post-mortem examination will be held in due course. Formal identification awaits.
Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command have been informed.
A crime scene remains in place.
Photos from the scene show a police van parked horizontally across the road and a cordon in place, as a crowd gathers nearby.
At this early stage, there have been no arrests.
Islington Council tweeted shortly after the news broke: "Awful incident in Essex Road earlier today, in which a man lost his life. Please contact the police if you have any information that could help."
While Former Scotland Yard Det Chief Supt Gerry Campbell said: "This is the 4th murder in #London is as many days #KnifeCrimeCrisis continue to grip the capital."
Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference Cad 5562/29May. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
