A 60-year-old man was stabbed to death and two others were injured during a knife attack in a South Norwood flat.

Jon Cooper-Taylor died in hospital from multiple stab wounds and his 83-year-old neighbour Barbara Colliver was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Rafiq Hassain Kashmiri was arrested at a hospital.

The incident happened in the early hours of Friday morning in Crofton Court, Cypress Road, South Norwood.

When police officers arrived they found two men and one woman suffering from stab wounds.

Neighbours paid tribute to Mr Cooper-Taylor.

Shocked Edward Fuller, 41, said he went up to the crime scene immediately he realised something was wrong.

"Jon was the nicest guy you would ever know. He just wanted to look after everybody," he said. "When he was brought down the stairs on the stretcher, there was a lot of blood on his face and he was wrapped up really tight in a blanket. But at the time I didn't realise he'd been stabbed. I thought he may have been beaten up."

Ms Colliver's neighbour, Tracey Lockyer, 40, said: "I just cannot imagine what went on in that flat."

Ms Colliver was believed to be suffering from shock but was said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

Police and forensic officers spent hours at the property taking statements from neighbours and examining the crime scene for clues.

The attack is the latest in a series of knife crimes in the borough. Croydon police have joined a national knife amnesty but there are fears that not enough is being done to tackle the problem.

Home Secretary John Reid recently said he may consider an increase in jail terms for people caught carrying blades, although this plan has reportedly been sidelined.

Kashmiri, originally from Kenya, appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Monday morning charged with murder and attempted murder.

Anyone with information should call 020 8721 4805 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.