A man has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed in the neck in a savage attack at an east London shopping centre.

Metropolitan Police officers were alerted to reports a man had been stabbed in Ilford at about 5.25pm today. An 18-year-old was injured but his condition is not known at this time.

Officers cordoned the road and an investigation has been launched to uncover what happened. There have been no arrests as of Saturday evening. Officers at the scene of the stabbing reportedly used paper towels in a bid to control the bleeding until paramedics arrived. The victim was then taken to a trauma centre.

Photos taken at the scene showed police officers standing close to where the stabbing happened. A police cordon was also seen covering the area around where the attack took place. Witnesses said the victim was stabbed in the neck.

A Met Police spokesperson told the : "Police were called around 5.25pm on Saturday, November 16, to Ilford High Road to reports of a man stabbed. Officers attended the scene along with the London Ambulance Service.

"An 18-year-old man was discovered with injuries. He has been taken to hospital. We await an update on his condition. Enquiries continue to establish the circumstances of the incident, including where it took place. There has been no arrest."

Anyone with information has been asked to call 101 quoting CAD 5522/16NOV.