A reported shooting in New Cross yesterday was actually a stabbing, police say.

Officer cordoned off a house in Auburn Close near New Cross Gate yesterday afternoon (March 19) after being called at 12.14pm to reports of a serious assault.

Upon arrival, officers attended to a 20-year-old man suffering stab wounds to his legs and torso. Ambulance crews, who had been alerted to reports of a shooting, attended and he was taken to a south London hospital.

His condition is described as not life-threatening.

The house remained cordoned off yesterday evening while forensic work was carried out.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I've lived here eight years and I've never seen anything like this before.

"It's very quiet and it's weird seeing this happen in front of your doorstep."

She said the details of what happened still weren't clear, adding: "At the moment everybody's keeping themselves to themselves like they normally do."

Another resident said: "I thought that crime and violence died down in this area.

"We used to get it a lot a few years ago so it's a bit of a surprise to hear that a shooting has happened so close to where I live. I just hope that this is a one-off."

Detectives from Lewisham are investigating. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers or Lewisham CID on 020 8284 468.