A teenager has suffered "life-changing" injuries after a stabbing in Shadwell in what police say was "escalating tensions between groups".

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the incident early Sunday evening (September 12) in Golding Street, a quiet cul de sac next to Rope Walk Gardens.

The appeal follows graphic video seen on social media with the injured youth bleeding badly on the pavement.

Tower Hamlets Met officers have since tweeted: “Police were made aware of escalating tensions in the area between specific groups.

"In response police authorised additional search powers using special legislation. Nobody was searched in the area during the specified time and no serious violence reported.”

They are investigating the origins of the video circulating on social media.

A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed: “We are aware of a video showing a male who is injured. The first half appears to have been filmed following an incident in Golding Street that is under investigation.”

East London Advertiser: Golding Street next to Rope Walk Gardens... scene of alleged stabbingGolding Street next to Rope Walk Gardens... scene of alleged stabbing (Image: Google)

Police were called to the narrow, cobbled turning opposite a parade of shops in Burnham Street at around 5.45pm on Sunday and arrived with ambulance paramedics.

They found the 19-year-old with a serious knife wound to the arm and rushed him to hospital, where his condition was assessed as "likely life-changing" but not life-threatening.

A man aged 20 was found with a knife wound in nearby Christian Street and taken to hospital to be treated. He was later arrested and remains in custody, Scotland Yard said.

Anyone with information is being asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC with the reference 5643/12SEP.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.