Convent boys stabbed in gang ambush

The boys were set upon in a terrifying "pre-planned" attack witnessed by parents waiting to collect their children from a nursery.

Horrified onlookers - many of them young children - watched as the pair were attacked by several youths shortly before 4pm yesterday in Polygon Road, near the British Library in Euston.

An air ambulance was called to take one of the victims to hospital and police flooded the area with more than 30 officers. The boys were described as "stable" today and their conditions were not thought to be life-threatening.

One witness said the two victims, believed to be sixth-form pupils at the mixed Maria Fidelis Convent School, were attacked by youths who arrived at the scene in a car, apparently having been hailed by an accomplice.

Photographer Rilwan Animashaun, one of about 50 people who saw the incident, said the boys were pinned up against a wall and stabbed repeatedly in the back with a knife. The 36-year-old, who was picking up his daughter from nursery, described how he tried to break up the fight moments before the stabbing. He said: "They were shouting and threatening each other. One older youth, maybe 18 or 19, chased the two boys with a stone in his hand.

"Then he signalled down the road to a green metallic VW seven-seater car. Two black guys jumped out - one of them had his jacket undone and I could see he had a stab vest on. It looked like a planned attack.

"They rushed past me and got the two friends against the wall. The boys were fighting for their lives, they were struggling. I think just one of the older youths stabbed them and they jumped back in the car and drove off.

"I didn't realise they had been stabbed until I saw all the blood. I was telling them 'Go home, it's over. What would your parents say?' - and they said 'We've been stabbed'."

Mr Animashaun added: "They must have had some sort of problem with each other the way it kicked off. There were young girls screaming and adults just standing around like it was entertainment - it is sickening. I was wondering whether I could handle it by myself but I just did what I could to try to stop it. I guess I could have been stabbed as well."

Residents and shop keepers said there were often clashes in the area. Saad Hassan, 51, who owns Worldwide Satellite in Chalton Street, said: "Once a week there is a fight around here - it is very regular."

Police are investigating the possibility that the attack was gang-related.

An 18-year-old arrested in connection with the incident was last night being questioned by detectives.

Anyone with information should contact Camden CID on 020 8733 6578 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.