London police hunt 'lone knifeman in his 30s' after stabbing spree in neighbouring suburban streets left one man dead and two others hurt

Police hunting a suspect who knifed a delivery driver to death have officially linked the attack to two other stabbings within the past week.

Leon Street, 48, was murdered on Neasden Road North near the home he shares with his fiancee in Brent, north west London, on January 11 at about 9.30pm. 

Just 10 minutes earlier, another man, 47, was stabbed by a bus stop two streets away. He was taken to hospital and has since been discharged.

A third man, in his 30s, was stabbed in broad daylight in Neasden on Sunday near the same bus stop at the junction with Press Road despite police patrols being in place.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to stab injuries and his condition is not life-threatening after the stabbing at 9.50am.

Police do not know the motive for the spate of attacks and said the victims were not robbed and the attacker did not say anything significant during the stabbings.

Leon Street, 48, was murdered near the home he shares with his fiancee in Brent, north west London, on January 11 at about 9.30pm

On Sunday morning police were called at 9.50am to reports of another stabbing on Neasdon Road North

Police arrested two men, aged 47 and 33, on January 11 but released them without further action. 

The 47-year-old was the victim of the earlier stabbing.  

A crime scene remains in place on the road and no arrests have been made yet. 

Since those incidents, local officers have been increased patrols in the area and these will continue. 

Mr Street, who worked as a delivery drier, was a father and step-grandfather. 

Officers attended the scene on Neasden Lane North along with paramedics and found Mr Street suffering stab injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.

The victim's next of kin have been notified and are being supported by specialist officers. 

Sunday's victim, a man believed to be aged in his 30s, was taken to hospital for stab injuries and his condition is unknown. Pictured: Police on the scene 

A post-mortem examination held on January 13 gave cause of death as stab injuries to the chest.

Homicide detectives are linking the fatal stabbing to another attack around ten minutes earlier on Neasden Lane near the bus stop close to the junction with Press Road. 

The victim was stabbed by a lone male who ran away from the scene. The male victim was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been discharged. 

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 January 11 and January 17.

A crime scene remains in place on the road and no arrests have been made yet

'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 January 11 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.

Police do not know the motive for the spate of attacks and said the victims were not robbed and the attacker did not say anything significant during the stabbings 

'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.' 

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 6783/11JAN.

To remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers_uk.org.