Computer games and violence, often linked by critics of the industry, came together in an unusually vivid manner last night when a man was stabbed while waiting to buy Grand Theft Auto IV and muggers shattered the jaw of a teenager who had just bought the game.

The 18-certificate video game, which has been praised for its immersive storytelling but criticised for its violent and sexual content, went on sale at midnight last night. Demand was predicted to be high and queues formed outside many games shops.

By 11pm, about a hundred people had gathered at Gamestation in Croydon, South London, when a 23-year-old man standing in the queue was stabbed several times by a passer-by.

Police said that he did not call for help, but a witness dialled 999. When the police arrived they found the victim a short distance away and took him to hospital, from where he has since been discharged.

Later, an 18-year-old man was mugged in Leyland, Lancashire, soon after buying a copy of the game for £40. Two robbers punched the victim to the ground and then kicked him, shattering his nose and jaw, according to the Manchester Evening News. They snatched the game before running away.

Police said both robbers were white, aged 18-20, clean shaven and wearing dark tracksuits. One was 6ft 2in and had a shaved head. The other was 5ft 10in and had short dark hair.

In London, police have appealed for help from other people who were waiting to buy the game at Gamestation in Croydon.

“I urge them to make contact with police as they may hold vital information to help us track down the suspect,” Detective Inspector Liz Baker, of Croydon CID, said. “He is described as a light-skinned black man aged about 21 years old, 6ft 5in tall, of medium build, wearing a light grey hooded top with his hood up.”

Grand Theft Auto IV: click here for video report and full review

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