Police in Wandsworth will have the power to stop and search anyone they like following a Balham stabbing.

Police were called just after 6pm last night to Balham Hill where they discovered that an 18-year-old had been stabbed.

"The injured male was taken to a west London hospital," a Met spokesman said.

"His condition is currently being treated as life-threatening.

"Officers from South West Command Unit are investigating and a crime scene has been established."

No arrests have been made so far and enquiries are ongoing.

Now police have said that a Section 60 has been authorised across the Tooting and Battersea areas of the borough as a result.

This means that until 3.30am tomorrow morning, constables in uniform can use this power to stop and search anyone, specifically to prevent and detect the carrying of dangerous instruments or offensive weapons.

Reasonable grounds for suspicion are not required to exercise a s.60 search.