A serial knife attacker is believed to be on the loose in north London, with police linking the murder of a delivery driver to two other stabbings.
The latest attack took place yesterday morning in Brent, when a man in his thirties was stabbed near a bus stop at around 9.50am. His condition is not life threatening.
It comes after delivery driver Leon Street, 48, was murdered in the same road, Neasden Lane North, on January 11.
Mr Street, a father and step-grandfather, lived with his fiancée nearby. He was found with injuries to the chest and died at the scene despite paramedics including from the air ambulance trying to save him.
Just ten minutes earlier, a man in his 40s was stabbed on Neasden Lane near the bus stop close to the junction with Press Road.
He was attacked by a lone male who ran away from the scene. After being taken to hospital for treatment, he has since been discharged.
This morning, police officially linked the three attacks and said they believe the same man is responsible.
None of the victims appear to have been robbed and the attacker is not thought to have said anything significant to the victims, so a motive is not yet clear.
The suspect is a lone white man aged roughly in his thirties.
There have been additional police patrols in Neasden since last Monday’s murder, and these patrols have been stepped up in response to the further attack yesterday.
Local people are urged to speak with officers if they have any concerns or if they have any information that may assist police.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Williams said: ‘This is an investigation into three stabbings, one of which was fatal. I am working with a dedicated team of detectives to get answers for Leon’s grieving family and for the two other victims.
‘At this stage, I believe that all three attacks were committed by the same, lone male suspect. He is a white man, aged very roughly around 30 years, and I think he was wearing a dark coloured jacket both on 11 January and 17 January.
‘We are making progress and following up a number of lines of enquiry, and our investigation is receiving really useful support from local people in and around Neasden. However, there are others who may have information that could help us.
‘There were people around Neasden Lane North on the evening of Monday 11 January and on Sunday morning who will have seen or heard something of note. I need those people to come forward.
‘In particular, I want to hear from anyone who saw a man running or otherwise acting suspiciously in the Neasden Lane North area between 9pm and 10pm last Monday or at around 9.50am on Sunday morning. I also want to hear from anyone who has seen a man hanging around the area in recent weeks.
‘It is my belief that the suspect lives locally, and I am asking local people to get in touch if they know anyone whose behaviour is suspicious – for instance do you know anyone who has been disposing of clothes or simply seeming agitated for no apparent reason?
‘Officers are making extensive CCTV enquiries, and I am confident that together with information from local people, we are piecing together what happened.
‘If you have information that may assist, please do not delay in making contact with us. Even exceptionally small details could prove extremely significant.’
Police added that the victim of the first stabbing had been arrested on January 11 and released without further action.
Additionally, a 33-year-old man has also been released without further action.
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