Police hunt two suspects after man 'beaten with metal pipe in shocking attack'

Crime reporter(wp/es):

Police were hunting for two suspects after a man was allegedly beaten with a metal pipe during a “shocking” robbery in east London.

The 40-year-old man, who speaks limited English, was assaulted by two men who asked him directions to a taxi rank in Upton Park, police said.

Officers have released new CCTV footage of the suspects who approached the man at a bus stop in Queen’s Market in the early hours of the morning.

He suffered cuts and bruises to his head and arm in the attack, during which his phone and wallet are believed to have been stolen.

The first suspect is described as a black man who was wearing a red baseball cap, dark coloured jumper with ‘Ghelle’ written across the chest in white and dark trousers.

The second man is said to have been a black man aged in his 20s.

He was described as wearing a white hoody with a dark body warmer, black belt and white trousers.

Officers are appealing for anyone who recognises the men or has information about the robbery, which happened at about 2.40am on October 12, to come forward.

CCTV cameras also caught the same two men chasing a woman in the same area at 2.12am. 

Police are looking to trace the woman. It is not known if she had been robbed. 

Detective Constable Faye Cook, from Newham CID, said: "This was a shocking incident that has left the victim very distressed. We are keen to identify the two men in the CCTV footage so we can speak to them about the incident.

"We would also urge anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us as well as anyone who might have been a victim of these two suspects. 

“We are particularly keen for the woman who was chased by the suspects the same night to come forward."

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

Young man 'viciously' stabbed to death outside university halls

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A young man was “viciously” stabbed to death outside a hall of residence at London’s world-renowned University of the Arts, it has emerged.

The man in his 20s was knifed in the chest yards from the main entrance as he walked near college accommodation block in west London at 6.30pm on Thursday.

Witnesses said a fight broke out between two men “pushing and shoving” before the victim staggered to a bench clutching his chest. He fell forwards and collapsed onto the pavement.

Paramedics battled to save his life for 20 minutes at the scene before he was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A manhunt is now underway for the knifeman who is believed to have dropped his weapon and fled.

Students who live in the Costume Store, opposite North Acton Tube station, told of their shock at the death on their doorstep.

The modern block houses 530 UAL undergraduates most of whom study at the London College of Fashion in Shepherd’s Bush.

It was placed on lockdown until the early hours with security guards manning the gates as police with sniffer dogs searched inside.

A student from China living in the Costume Store halls told the Standard: “He was killed in the street. I don’t know who he is. We are all scared. The policemen keep telling us not to worry.

“I don’t want to tell my parents because I know they will be really worried and want me to go home.”

Scotland Yard said the victim’s family have been informed of his death.

A 27-year-old international student studying for her postgraduate degree said: “It’s terrible. The police refused to tell us anything apart from the fact that someone had been stabbed and told us to go home another way.

“It’s so scary because there’s so many of us students that live in this area. I’m sad to hear someone has lost his life over a brawl.

"I’m sure we’ll all be a lot more cautious now.”

The UAL comprises Central Saint Martins, Camberwell College of Arts, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication and Wimbledon Arts College.

The Costume Store halls, a mix of shared flats and self-contained dorms, opened in September 2012 on the site that once housed the BBC’s costume collection.

A student who lives in the block in Victoria Road wrote on Twitter: “A person I live [with] has been stabbed outside of our flat walking home and is in hospital and we are all locked in the common room.”

Another wrote: “Someone got stabbed downstairs. I’m just staring from the window, there are 11 police cars and police everywhere. They’ve brought in police dogs and looking around.”

A London College of Fashion student said: “I lived in these halls last year. So horrible to see news like this.”

A pub manager who works nearby told the Standard: “They were pushing and shoving each other and then the guy stabbed him and ran off.

“I saw him lying on the floor. The paramedics were doing CPR on the guy for about 20 minutes.

“They were still trying to save him as they were putting him in the ambulance. He was on his own, and I heard he was a student.

“Nothing really happens around here, it’s very quiet so it is shocking that this has happened.

“It’s really sad. I was shocked. It’s just no regard for life.”

In a message on its Facebook page, a UAL spokesman wrote: “If you’re a UAL student at The Costume Store, there are residence managers on site to help with any enquiries.

Cyclist dies after hit-and-run crash in Buckhurst Hill

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A cyclist who was seriously injured in a suspected hit-and-run in north-east London has died.

The victim, a man in his 40s, was on his way to work when he was hit by what police believe was a small lorry at about 4.15am on Thursday.

The man was found lying in the road in Buckhurst Hill and was rushed to the Royal London Hospital, but died on Thursday evening.

A wing mirror was found by police at the scene in Roding View which they believe belongs to the vehicle involved.

Detective Inspector Dave Jones, of Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "We believe the vehicle involved in this collision was a small lorry, probably less than seven and-a-half tonnes, and light, possible white, in colour.

"It was travelling towards Buckhurst Hill from Debden.

"I would urge the driver of the vehicle to come forward and contact us.

"Equally if there are any transport managers or transport companies who have noticed anything suspicious about one of their vehicles, particularly that it may be missing a wing mirror, please get in touch urgently.

"Additionally I would urge any shops in the Loughton, Debden and Buckhurst Hill areas that receive deliveries from a vehicle matching that description to also contact us.”