Teenager stabbed in gang battle

A teenager was fighting for his life today after being stabbed in broad daylight during a suspected gang fight on a council estate in east London.

Officers found the 18-year-old, whose name has not yet been released, in Bow Common Lane, Mile End, with several life-threatening stab wounds. He was taken to an east London hospital where he is seriously ill.

Police believe the fight, in which makeshift weapons including broken chair legs were used, had been arranged by text message.

Terrified residents described how the gangs rampaged through the estate yesterday afternoon.

Five people were arrested and were being questioned at east London police stations today. Four were held on suspicion of attempted murder and another for possession of an offensive weapon.

Most of those arrested were said to be Asian and residents confirmed the fight had been between gangs of black and Asian youths.

But one local youth, who would not give his name, said the brawl had not been racially motivated. "It's like everywhere," he said. "Nobody likes each other. It's not a racial thing."