Pinner stabbing: Shop worker stabbed to death in ‘violent robbery’, police say

A man has died after he was stabbed in northwest London during a “violent robbery” early on Sunday morning, police said.

The 54-year-old man is believed to have been attacked as he opened Marsh Food and Wine in Pinner on Sunday morning.

Scotland Yard said the shop’s till was stolen and may have been discarded by the suspect, while detectives are appealing for witnesses who saw a black Vauxhall Astra driven away at speed immediately after the stabbing.

Officers were called to the scene in Marsh Road at around 6am but the victim was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later.

The Metropolitan Police said his family have been informed.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Stancombe of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the area around Marsh Lane this morning and saw anything of interest to contact police.

“This was a violent robbery that has escalated, resulting in the murder of a man. It appears the till was stolen from the shop during this robbery and this may have been discarded by the suspect. If you have come across this, we want to hear from you.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw a black Vauxhall Astra that was driven away at speed, south down Cecil Park immediately after the attack.

“We think that car was parked in Cecil Park prior to the murder – if you saw this, or have any other information that could help us progress this investigation, I would urge you to get in contact.”

A large section of Marsh Road has been cordoned off and a police forensics tent erected outside Marsh Food and Wine and a Costa Coffee outlet.

Local business owner Peter Brook, 55, who lives nearby, said: “When someone actually violates your community, people will be shocked.

“I know the other traders I’ve spoken to are thinking, ‘there but for the grace of God go the rest of us’.”

Local councillor Norman Stevenson, who is also chairman of Pinner Business Club, described the area as a “typical nice leafy suburb”.

He said he had spoken to employees of other newsagents since the attack and said their reaction is “shock, of course, and it’s disbelief that this could happen in Pinner”.

Mr Stevenson added: “They’re always there at 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning when very few people are around so I suppose, with hindsight thinking about that, there is a certain vulnerability about that, but I don’t think people live in fear, they get on with their lives.”

Local MP Nick Hurd said police are making house-to-house inquiries.

He tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear of a fatal stabbing in Marsh Road #Pinner earlier this morning. Area cordoned off; police conducting house to house enquiries and reassurance patrols.”

Police are asking anyone with information to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111