A pregnant woman has been repeatedly kicked in the stomach during an attack in south-east London, causing the death of her baby.

British police are appealing for witnesses after the "brutal" assault on the woman (21), who was 32 weeks pregnant, in Peckham on Monday.

The victim was taken to a south London hospital, where she lost the baby. She remains in a critical condition in intensive care.

The woman was walking down Talfourd Place at around 8pm on Monday when she was approached by two men wearing motorcycle crash helmets.

The men pushed her to the ground and then continually kicked and stamped on her stomach.

The suspects ran off, still wearing the helmets, in the direction of Denmark Road.

Police were called by a member of the public, and administered first aid when they got to the scene.

Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Robert Pack, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "This was a truly abhorrent and vile attack on a heavily pregnant woman who has now, tragically, lost her baby."

"The men who attacked her must have known the impact their actions would have when they kicked her repeatedly in the stomach."

"It is sickening to think someone would deliberately target a pregnant woman in this way."

"The suspects were distinctive in their crash helmets and we would appeal for anyone who saw them either before the attack or running from the scene to please come forward and contact us."

Reporter Martin Brunt said: "Sources are suggesting there is a domestic connection to this attack. It seems this was not a random attack, but the woman was targeted by those two young men."

The two men were black and aged in their 20s. A man (20) was arrested on Tuesday and remains in custody.