Boy, 16, arrested after two teens fatally stabbed in London

The victims have been named as Kearne Solanke (left) and Charlie Bartolo (right)

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two teenagers were fatally stabbed just a mile apart in south-east London.

Officers were called at about 17:10 GMT on Saturday to reports people had been injured in Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, and Titmuss Avenue in Thamesmead.

Despite the attendance of police and paramedics, two 16-year-old boys were pronounced dead.

They have been named as Kearne Solanke and Charlie Bartolo.

The victims' families are being supported by specialist officers, police said.

Friends leave flowers outside a property on Sewell Road

The local MP, Abena Oppong-Asare, told BBC Radio London the community was "in an overwhelming amount of shock".

"Our focus needs to be on the families at the moment, as they try to come to terms with it. I have had some constituents contact me who are concerned, and also some who want to provide support.

"It's heart breaking lives have been lost, this is a beautiful community. This does not happen on a day-to-day basis. People shouldn't be scared.

"Agencies and organisations work very hard but we are clearly not doing enough," the Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead added.

"I don't want to be in the position of having to comment on the death of another young person.

"We all need to come together and do what's best for the community."

Following the announcement of the arrest, Det Ch Insp Kate Blackburn said in a statement: "This is a positive development in what is a complex and fast-moving investigation. Charlie and Kearne's families have been informed.

The crime scene at Titmuss Avenue

"Our investigation is ongoing and we continue to appeal for the public's help as we build a picture of what happened on Saturday night.

"If you have information, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, please come forward."

Speaking at one of the crime scenes earlier, Det Supt Richard McDonagh, said: "Homicide colleagues are investigating and are treating the two murders as linked.

"I can assure everybody affected by these murders that skilled detectives will work tirelessly to discover what happened and provide answers to the young victims and families."

He added: "Officers are especially keen to hear from anyone who might have seen a dark-coloured SUV or 4x4 type with distinctive silver roof bars in the areas around Sewell Road or Titmuss Avenue in the days prior to the murders."

Flowers have been left by fellow classmates

At the scene: BBC reporter Frankie McCamley

On the edge of a large residential estate, Sewell Road backs onto a busy main road. It is still cordoned off with police tape lining the streets.

Neighbours say the street is poorly lit at night and attracts groups of young people.

Just metres from where Charlie Bartolo was stabbed to death flowers, balloons and football flags cover a footpath between a group of houses.

Many of the tributes have clearly been written by children, a stark reminder of how young these victims are.

The 16-year-old's friends, family and classmates have been to the scene with their parents. They are all visibly upset.

Despite one arrest it's clear the police investigation is still ongoing as officers continue making door to door enquiries.

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