Neighbours have spoken of their “shock” following the stabbing of two men at popular pub and restaurant Shepherd and Dog.

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 10.42pm on Friday to reports of an assault at the Harold Wood pub in Shepherds Hill.

Two men were treated for facial injuries and stab wounds to the chest and taken to an east London hospital where they remain in a stable condition.

“This is a lovely quiet area so I am surprised – it is frightening to think it happened so close to home,” said 79-year-old resident Sonia Going.

“The restaurant is an impeccable place to go out for the evening and really well run.

“I just hope this doesn’t ruin its great reputation.”

A 75-year-old woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I saw lots of blue lights flashing through my window and when I looked outside, there were a couple of ambulances and at least three police cars.

“A man with a bandage on his head was being taken from the restaurant to an ambulance on a stretcher.

“It is shocking but I guess incidents like this are going on a lot more nowadays.”

A man is being sought by police in connection with the stabbings that took place on Friday night.

Acting detective sergeant Jay King said: “We are very keen to speak with the individual pictured and would encourage anyone who recognises him to contact us immediately.

“Both victims sustained a number of stab wounds and it was only by pure chance that they were not more seriously injured or killed.

“I would urge anyone with information concerning the stabbings or the man in the picture released today, to contact police as soon as possible.”

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on the non-emergency line on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting CRIS 5400808/16.