Double stabbing ‘sign of gang tensions’ says neighbourhood watch volunteer

The Met is investigating the incidents. Photograph: Ray Forster

Two incidents in which young men were stabbed in Dalston over the weekend have been described as part of a “seriously worrying” escalation of gang tensions.

Shulem Stern, who is part of the Shomrim neighbourhood watch group in nearby Stamford Hill, warned violence between gangs had reached an “uncontrollable level”.

Police and paramedics found a man in his 20s suffering from multiple knife wounds in Arcola Street on Sunday afternoon. This followed what appears to have been a similar incident earlier in the day in the vicinity of Kingsland High Street.

Pictures showed a forensics tent erected close to the Rio Cinema on Sunday morning, and police dogs from neighbouring City of London Police were deployed as part of a search for weapons. Later in the day Arcola Street was cordoned while the victim of that attack was treated in hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called at 4.20pm on Sunday 8 January to reports of a stabbing in Arcola Street, E8.

“Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene and found a man in his 20s with multiple stab wounds.

“He was taken to an East London hospital where he remains in a critical condition. Hackney CID are investigating.”

No arrests have been made in relation to either stab attack. The injuries sustained by the victim of the earlier incident are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police say their inquiries are continuing.