Man stabbed to death on busy London street as shoppers and commuters look on

Police and paramedics were called to the scene in busy Upper Street at 6.30pm on Monday

Police officers at the scene of the fatal stabbing in Upper Street (PA)

A man has been stabbed to death near Islington Town Hall in north London.

The victim, who has not been identified by police, was attacked outside Udderlicious on busy Upper Street at around 6.30pm on Monday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene near the junction with Tyndale Lane.

Witnesses spoke of their shock on Twitter.

Islington councillor Paul Convery said: "This is a horrifying escalation of gang related violence."

Local business owner Gregory Barry said he saw the incident unfold over his CCTV.

He said: "There were two blokes in a van, it pulled up on the street. It looked like there was an altercation and the fight carried on outside the van."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted that he was in contact with police and local MP Emily Thornberry and added: "My thoughts are with the victim's family."

It follows the fatal stabbing of 28 year-old Arunesh Thangarajah in Mitcham on Sunday.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating and have closed Upper Street to traffic.

Officers at the scene say that the nearby St Mary's church will be open for food and shelter overnight.

Many residents are unable to access their homes on Upper Street, with the cordon extending from Barnsbury Street to Islington Park Road.

At least a dozen police officers are at the scene, and forensic officers are scanning the road near to where the stabbing took place.

A tent remains over the spot where the incident happened, while at least eight emergency vehicles are in the cordon, including an ambulance.

No arrests have been made and witnesses are asked to contact police via 101.