A young man has died after he was blasted in the head by a gun-toting killer on a motorbike in south London, police say.

Detectives think the 24-year-old was sitting in the passenger seat of a Volkswagen car which was being driven down Wellesley Road in Croydon when the attack happened.

A motorcyclist with a pillion passenger pulled up alongside the car and shots were fired at the vehicle.

The car driver, who suffered minor injuries, took his stricken friend to hospital.

He died on arrival after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, police say.

A large section of the street, a main road through the town centre, was cordoned off by officers as they investigated the scene.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called at 10.06pm on Friday, 9 June, to reports of a shooting in Wellesley Road, Croydon.

“Six minutes later, officers were notified that a 24-year-old man had been taken to a south London hospital suffering a gunshot injury to his head. He died upon arrival at the hospital.”

He said: “Croydon town centre is usually very busy on a Friday night and detectives are appealing for anyone in the area who witnessed the shooting or the events leading up to the incident to contact them.

“No arrests have been made and enquires continue.

“Local road closures are in place and members of the public are advised to avoid the area to enable police to conduct a full examination of the crime scene.”

Crimes in the capital by masked moped and motorbike gangs is on the rise. Recently, reports were made of criminals on bikes snatching mobile phones and handbags. Also coming in are reports of acid being sprayed on or thrown at drivers stopping at traffic lights. This new incident is the latest of cimes by bike riderd although no link has been made to any of the other crimes. This could very likely be an isolated incident and not a randon attack like the other crimes.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4054, dial 101, or tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit thehttp://www.crimestoppers-uk.org website.