Two teenage boys died in London stabbings less than an hour apart, police have confirmed.
A 15-year-old was fatally injured in an incident in Croydon on Thursday evening while a 16-year-old lost his life more than 20 miles away in Hillingdon.
Thursday night's deaths take the total number of teenage killings in the capital to 30 in 2021 making it the bloodiest year since records began.
The Metropolitan Police said the London Ambulance Service was called shortly after 7.30pm on Thursday to reports of an injured male at Philpotts Farm Open Space, close to Heather Lane in Yiewsley.
Officers attended and found the teenager suffering from a puncture wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8.25pm.
The force said his next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
It followed the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in Ashburton Park, Croydon, south London, who was pronounced dead at 7.36pm.
The Metropolitan Police said it was too early to say whether the two incidents, more than 20 miles apart, were linked.
The double tragedy brings the total number of teenage killings in the capital in a calendar year to 30 - passing a previous peak of 29, set in 2008.
The two murder investigations will again prompt discussion about the possible causes of youth violence, with experts suggesting this includes a rise in the number of children who are vulnerable, increased pressure on services such as policing, and social media fuelling conflict.
Scotland Yard said police were called to the Croydon stabbing shortly after 7pm.
They gave first aid to the boy before the ambulance service arrived but he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Police were called to the stabbing in Yiewsley shortly after 7.30pm, where they found the 16-year-old victim suffering from a puncture wound.
He was also declared dead at the scene.
The victims' family members have been informed but neither boy has been formally identified, Scotland Yard said.
Post-mortem examinations will be held later.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea
.jpg?w=600)
