The prime suspect in the murder of two French students was told to wait in a police station reception after walking in and confessing.

The man, who had burns to his hands and face, sat with members of the public for five minutes until he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He walked into Lewisham police station in South London, a mile from the murder scene, shortly before 2am on Monday.

It was a week after the murders and just hours after police issued an e-fit of a suspect seen running away from the scene.

The man, 33, handed himself in to a civilian member of staff at the front desk.

He stood in a cubicle which can be locked automatically by staff, but was asked to wait in reception while a police officer was called - leaving him free to escape at any time.