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Published: 22 April 2011
by JOSH LOEB

DETECTIVES have launched an inquiry into the murder of a young man, believed to be in his early 20s, who was stabbed to death in the afternoon sunshine on Wednesday.

The attack took place just across the borough boundary of Westminster – on the Camden side of Kilburn – and follows an incident earlier this month in which a 15-year-old boy was left with life-changing injuries after an attack in Kilburn Lane. And it comes after a warning from Westminster North Labour MP Karen Buck of heightened tensions in the area.

Wednesday’s attack took place in Mortimer Crescent. Police said they were called to reports of an assault at a sports pitch at 4.50pm.

The victim was found bleeding heavily and was pronounced dead just after 6pm at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington. 

He has not yet been formally identified. 

A post-mortem exam­ination was to be held yesterday (Thursday).

Police said a second man, believed to be aged 17, suffered stab wounds to his arm during the same incident. He is in a stable condition in a central London hospital. They said the second victim was found in a grocery shop in nearby Boundary Road, where they believe he had fled after the attack.

Investigating officers are appealing for anyone with information or who saw what happened to contact police at Belgravia on 020 7321 7228 or Crime­stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Crime scenes were taped off and forensic experts were seen searching for clues.

On Wednesday a Scotland Yard spokesman said it was too early to say whether the attacks were gang-related, as feared by some residents in the area. He added: “At this stage we are keeping an open mind in regards to a motive for this attack.”

Ms Buck has called for Malcolm Rifkind and Glenda Jackson – the MPs of neighbouring constituencies – to join her in a deputation calling for youth outreach services in the area, which is divided between Camden, Brent, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea, to be protected.