Two 14-year-old boys have been arrested after a man was stabbed to death in Chingford, east London.

It is believed that James Markham died after he confronted a group of young people on Churchill Terrace, Chingford, at about 6.20pm on Monday.

The Met Police said one boy was arrested on suspicion of murder, the other on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. Both teenagers remain in custody at an east London police station.

Emergency services were called to the scene after reports of a disturbance and found Markham. He was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene. A postmortem examination found he died of a stab wound to the lung.

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers, the Met said. Reports have suggested the father-of-two was trying to defend his 17-year-old daughter from a group of youths before his death.

Det Insp John Marriott said: “We believe that James confronted a group of youths causing a disturbance and was stabbed as a result.

“The brutality of this response is beyond shocking and our thoughts are with James’s family who have been left devastated by their loss.”

He added that the arrests were “a significant development” but appealed for anyone with information about what happened to contact police.

Bouquets of flowers were left at the scene by members of the local community in tribute to Markham, whom neighbours described to the Daily Mirror as a “kind, family man”.

Anyone who has any information in relation to the incident should call police on 101 giving the reference 5735/09AUG.