Two young men have been stabbed to death in separate incident in London as the capital prepared for the four-day Platinum Jubilee bank holiday.

Police were first called to reports of a stabbing in Neasden, north west London, at around 6.30pm. A man believed to be in his mid-20s was found injured in the street and, despite the best efforts of paramedics, was pronounced dead at the scene around 45 minutes later.

A large presence of emergency services and a police cordon are also in attendance at an incident in Woolwich, south east London, this evening.

An increased presence of specially-trained police officers have been patrolling London in the run-up to the bank holiday.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Barbara Gray also said yesterday that the event was a chance to show London at its best. But instead it has been marred by two stabbings within hours of each other.

She said the force has spent months preparing for the bank holiday, adding: “Policing the Jubilee is an absolute privilege and that privilege is whether we are policing here at Buckingham Palace and in the Mall or whether we are working across every community in London”.

“And that is what people will see. They will see police officers across London throughout this weekend and I think that this is just such a fabulous opportunity to show London at its best and to show the Met at its best”.

Last month, people who are planning to host Platinum Jubilee street parties were reportedly warned they could be in danger of possible terror attacks.

In preparation for the major public event, the Metropolitan Police has reportedly sent out a five-page document to those registered as organisers, giving advice about the potential threat of terror. A Met Police spokesperson insisted there had been no intelligence of any ‘specific threat’ and said they were sharing advice to ensure celebrations are safe for everyone involved.

The spokesman said: ‘The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is a momentous occasion for our country with London being the centre of the celebrations. “The Met will be playing its part by helping to keep those marking and celebrating the occasion safe – including from terrorism”.