A murder investigation has been launched after a fatal stabbing in Ham.

Police were called at around 11.20pm last night – Thursday - to reports of a stabbing in the area of Maguire Drive.

Witnesses suggested there had been a chase and one seriously injured man was seen lying on the pavement outside a petrol station.

One neighbour said: "I came out the house because of the noise. There was a young woman screaming and yelling for an ambulance.

"I could see a body laid out on the pavement. It looked serious from where I was. Two fast, sporty cars with young men in were whizzing about in a hurry to get out."

He added: "A black car backed up at high speed with no attention or care to other cars and slammed into a white Range Rover.

"I then went and rang 999. It took me a long time to get through because they said they were extremely busy.

"The activity was continuing and by the time the police managed to turn up most of what was going on had stopped.

"I didn't see car numbers. I couldn't see faces. I couldn't see what was going on up there. All I could hear was the young girls were really panicking and calling for an ambulance."

Forensic investigators have been at multiple locations near the scene, including an alleyway around 100 metres away and a nearby petrol station.

Meanwhile, uniformed officers have been standing guard at the edge of a large cordon on Maguire Drive.

The deceased's next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination is set to take place.

The police said: "Three males self-presented at hospital after sustaining what are believed to be stab injuries.

"One man – believed to be 31 years old – was pronounced dead at hospital. His next of kin have been informed."

The other two other men's injuries' have been assessed as non life-threatening. They have subsequently been arrested on suspicion of affray and taken into custody.

An urgent investigation is under way and a crime scene is in place.

Homicide detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have been informed and are leading the investigation.

Anyone with information or any witnesses are asked to call 101 ref 8004/17Mar, or contact Crimestoppers, 100 per cent anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Councillor Andree Frieze, said: "Ward councillors had a very brief update from the local police today about this stabbing.

"They said: 'T'his is a very fresh incident so there is very little extra info I can give you at this moment. Rest assured we are working hard to investigate and we have been told additional officers will be sent to Ham over the coming week to conduct enhanced patrols'."