A murder investigation has been launched after a 20 year-old man was stabbed to death in south-east London.

Police were called to Kender Street, at the junction with Queen’s Road, Lewisham, on Friday at just before 1am.

The victim was taken by the London Ambulance Service to a south London hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.

Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, leading the Met’s South East Command, said: “I am saddened to see another young life lost needlessly to knife crime in our city, another family devastated by loss – my thoughts are with the young man’s loved ones.”

No arrests have yet been made and a crime scene remains in place.

The victim’s next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination has yet to take place.

Mr Lawry said: “I know that local people will be shocked by this incident and I would like to reassure the community that, alongside our Specialist Crime colleagues, we are working hard to establish the full facts of this incident and to identify those responsible.

“My officers remain at the scene and will be conducting enhanced patrols in the coming days to ensure that anyone with information, or concerns can approach them.

“If you do have information that could assist the investigation, but don’t want to speak directly to police, I urge you to contact Crimestoppers who will not even ask for your name.”