A young man has been knifed to death outside a Wetherspoons pub in West London as police launch a murder probe.
The 31-year-old died after being stabbed in the centre of Hounslow, with officers called to Staines Road at 12.30am today.
Police swarmed the street along with the London Ambulance Service and found the man with stab injuries.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and flowers have now been tied to a lamppost on the edge of the police cordon which remains in place this afternoon.
Police have blocked off a large section of Staines Road, close to the shopping centre of Hounslow, while a forensics tent has been set-up in front of The Moon Under Water Wetherspoons pub.
A large police presence remains at the scene, with locals left shocked by the news.
Ramon Baggot, 40, who was in the area this afternoon, told MyLondon: "The young people go to the pub there and old people. It’s a bad mix. I don’t go there anymore. I feel bad for him I think a lot of people saw him in Hounslow. Seeing police here is normal. Many stabbings and death.
"I wish to move out as soon as possible. It’s cheap here so people who don’t like the violence can’t move because everywhere is more expensive."
The man’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
He is yet to be formally identified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.
A murder investigation has now been launched, with the Met Police urging anyone with information to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector James Shirley, Specialist Crime, said: “An urgent investigation is under way to establish what happened in the early hours of this morning and to identify who was responsible for this terrible attack
“Our investigation will be extensive and painstaking, including a full forensic examination of the area, which is ongoing, and detailed enquiries to obtain all available CCTV.
“I am appealing for anyone who was in the area and has yet to speak with police to get in touch. Even if you do not believe you saw anything of particular significance, please make contact with detectives.
“I also want to hear from anyone who took photos or captured footage on their phone or other device, and from any drivers with dashcam footage from the local area at the time of the murder.”
Chief Inspector Karl Spour of the Met’s West Area BCU added: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who lost his life in this tragic incident. I know they will be given a great deal of support by Met officers as they try to come to terms with what has happened.
“Local people will see more officers in and around Staines Road and Hounslow town centre in the coming days. Our commitment to arresting and charging those who commit violent crime and further reducing the number of people killed or injured on our streets is total.
“I urge anyone with information about people who carry knives or other weapons to share what they know with police or charities such as Crimestoppers. In partnership with these organisations, we are always striving to build a picture of violent offenders and ultimately to keep people safe. Please help us in this vital work.”
Anyone with information or any witnesses yet to speak with police are asked to call 101, quoting reference number 189/25jun.
To give information anonymously, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
