Police hunt two men after four teenage boys and two schoolgirls sexually assaulted on way to school in Hackney

The boys were approached as they walked to school along a footpath at 8am

Police have released CCTV footage of two men they want to speak to in connection with the sexual assault of six schoolchildren in east London.

Four 13-year-old boys were approached as they walked along a footpath to school at around 8am on July 8 last year.

Police said the teenagers were targeted by two men in Lower Clapton Road, where it meets Atherden Road, in Hackney.

Following the attack, the boys managed to escape and fled to school where they explained what had happened.

A witness told detectives that the same men had previously sexually assaulted two schoolgirls in the same area.

Officers described one of the men they want to speak to as white, in his 20s, clean-shaven, medium build, with short, light-brown hair and wearing a black hooded jacket, black tracksuit trousers with light blue stripes and dark trainers.

The other was described as white, in his 20s and of medium build, wearing blue jeans and a white shirt.

Footage released by Metropolitan Police shows two men laughing and joking as they buy a drink from a shop.

Detectives are appealing for more witnesses - or victims - to come forward by calling DC Edward Lewis on 101 or 07500 850625 quoting reference number 190125 (suspect 1) or 190123 (suspect 2).

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.