A teenage boy was stabbed outside Hackney Town Hall this morning (Friday Dec 16) as Christmas shoppers prepared for the festive period.

Violence broke out in Reading Lane, between the town hall and Hackney Library, shortly before 10.50am when a 15-year-old boy suffered a single stab wound.

Paramedics took the teenager to an east London hospital in a stable but possibly life changing condition, according to a police spokeswoman.

Officers cordonned off the corner of the plaza in front of the town hall as investigations got underway.

One male has been arrested and enquiries continue.