A murder investigation has been launched after a man in his 30s was stabbed to death in Stoke Newington this evening.

Police were called to Matthias Road, on the Stoke Newington border, just after 5.45pm. They found the victim with a stab wound and medics fought to save his life but he died at the scene. Scotland Yard said the victim may have been attacked in Cowper Road, where a crime scene has also been set up.

Officers are now in the process of tracing his next of kin.

No arrests have been made and officers from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

Matthias Road is the street that divides Hackney and Islington. A section 60 order, giving the police more stop and search powers, has been made in the N16, N1 and E8 postcodes.

Neighbours have spoken of their shock at someone being stabbed in broad daylight.

“I heard the helicopter,” said Ombowale Ganoyu, who lives in Mayville Estate. “The noise is what made me come out of the building and I just saw the man lying there.

“It makes me feel unsafe because you hear about it from the news but all the time but this was just outside my door. It’s very scary. “

Another neighbour Christina Hurley said: “We just saw when the police turned up, they were trying to resuscitate the guy. There were crowds of people coming from everywhere. It makes me feel sick. I have teenage boys but I won’t let them out around here. It happened during the day. It was all normal noise ­ then there were lots of police. It was all so quick.”

Police have called for anyone with information to come forward.

Det Ch Insp Paul Considine, said: “This attack took place in the early evening, in a residential street and in broad daylight.

“There would have been people around and I need those people to call police. Whatever you saw, whether the fatal assault, the events leading up to it or the aftermath, it is vitally important that you call us.

“It is only by people working with police that we can make London safe and your call may be vital in helping us understand how a young man came to be brutally killed.”

Hackney mayor Phil Glanville tweeted: “Terrible news, Council is working with @MPSHackney & @metpoliceuk to respond to this awful incident. Thoughts clearly with victim’s family & friends as well as those responding to this attack. @CarolineSelman liaising with local cllrs & would urge anyone w/ info to contact police.”

Any witnesses or those with information are asked to call 101 ref CAD 5783/17Apr. Alternatively, tweet @MetCC.