Man, 26, dies after being stabbed during ‘altercation’ in north west London

Neighbours described how ‘all hell let loose’ after a fatal stabbing in north west London.

The victim was found with a stab wound at 3.30am on Kingsbury Road, Kingsbury yesterday after police received reports of an ‘altercation’.

He was taken to the hospital but was later pronounced dead.

The Met Police said that while formal identification has not taken place, the man’s next of kin has been informed.

No arrests have been made.

Locals said the fatal stabbing had taken place after a row between revellers at a nearby bar had flared into violence.

One said: ‘My mate was outside his flat having a fag. He said the people involved came out of the bar. There was a fight but he didn’t see a knife or a weapon.’

Another said: ‘The police activity was outside the pub. There was no one around at that time in the morning but the pub opens late.’

Jason Tozer, 59, told Metro: ‘It was like a crazy scene. I was woken up by sirens. All hell was let loose in the street outside. We were worried we didn’t know if there was someone running around with a knife a policeman said there had been a stabbing.’

Another local, a mother of three, said: ‘We were all in bed but there were blue lights from police cars outside it was horrific to think someone lost their life more or less on my doorstep. It’s difficult to know what to tell the kids they shouldn’t have to go to school past a murder scene and police tape.’

Meanwhile, forensics officers were carrying out a fingertip search of the crime scene on Monday.

They searched through a charity donation bin and the area outside the pub.

Detectives are carrying out door-to-door inquiries and collecting CCTV images from around the area.

The incident took place near a parade of shops and started with an argument, which ended with the victim suffering a fatal wound from a blade, police said.

Road closures are in place, and motorists are being urged to avoid Kingsbury Road as it remains closed between Uphill Drive and Church Lane.

Detective Chief Inspector Allam Bhangoo is leading the investigation and said: ‘Our team of detectives and forensic specialists are working at pace to establish the full circumstances that led to the tragic death of a young man.

‘We understand this incident will cause concern within the Kingsbury community, and we’re grateful for their continued patience and co-operation. Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area, along with a crime scene, as we carry out the early stages of our investigation.

‘We urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information that could assist us, to come forward as soon as possible.’

In 2018, three people were shot on Kingsbury High Street and were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

There were no arrests made and it was not treated as terror-related.

Pictures on social media at the time showed a heavy police presence in the area.

In 2016, a 41-year-old man was stabbed to death on Doreen Avenue in Kingsbury.

In 2011, four police officers were stabbed outside Kingsbury Halal Butchers, in Kingsbury Road.

Three of the officers needed surgery and the fourth officer, who was slashed and suffered a broken hand, was discharged from hospital.

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