A group of men involved in a fight that left three dead may have been embroiled in an ongoing dispute, police have said.

The victims, in their late 20s and early 30s, suffered stab injuries in the violence in Ilford, east London, on Sunday evening.

All three were pronounced dead at the scene in Salisbury Road, Seven Kings.

The Metropolitan Police said they believe five men were involved in another altercation the previous evening at the nearby Krystel Banqueting venue, with the clash spilling out on to the High Road.

It is thought those involved were known to each other and were from the Sikh and Hindu communities.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine, leading the investigation, said: "At this early stage, I do not believe this was gang or race-related.

"But I believe there may have been an ongoing dispute between those involved. We believe the five men were involved in an altercation the previous evening at Krystel Banqueting.

"I would encourage anyone in the local communities who knows what the motivation for this attack was, or to anyone who may have seen an altercation late on Saturday evening at Krystel Banqueting, or the incident itself on Salisbury Road, to contact us and tell us what they know."

Detective Chief Superintendent Stephen Clayman, commander of the Met’s East Area BCU, added: “Residents in and around the Seven Kings area will see extra officers on patrol; if you have any concerns, or information that could assist the investigation, please stop and speak to them.

“We are working closely with our partners and members of the community to reassure them that we are fully investigating this incident.”

Two men, aged 29 and 39, were arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday and remain in custody.