Two people have been arrested after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in east London.

The attack which happened around 11pm last night in Whitwell Road, Plaistow.Police officers on a routine patrol came across a large group of youths who fled when they approached.

They discovered a male youth with stab wounds to the chest. He was taken to Royal London hospital, but died less than an hour later from his injuries.

The Metropolitan Police said two people were arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning and the boy's next of kin have been informed.

Detectives from the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command unit say they are unsure exactly how the boy came to be injured, and are keeping an "open mind" about what happened.

Forensic officers are currently carrying out a fingertip search of the area.

A post-mortem is due to be carried out later.

In a separate attack, a 14-year-old boy was shot in the head in Tulse Hill, south London. Police said his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A 16-year-old boy was also shot but suffered only a grazed arm.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.