Officers are appealing for information after a student was repeatedly stabbed at Croydon College yesterday.

The 18-year-old was treated for stab wounds to his upper body and was conscious and breathing when he was taken to hospital shortly after 11.15am.

The teen was stabbed several times near a toilet block on the college's ground floor near the catering unit.

Police believe his attacker was a black man aged around 18.

He was rushed to a south London hospital for treatment and later released.

Detective Inspector Liz Baker said: "This is a very busy college and there would have been a fair number of people around. We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or seen someone running away or anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious."

The college decided to close for the day to help police with their investigation, though it had said it hoped to reopen at 6pm for evening classes.

The college said it was cooperating fully with the police and that it valued students' safety.

A spokesman said: "The college wishes to reiterate that it takes the safety of all students very seriously and works with the police and other agencies throughout the year to reinforce a broad range of safety related messages to all students."

Anyone with information about the attack should call Croydon CID on 020 8649 0135 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.