Man Seriously Assaulted In Charlotte Despard Avenue
The 46-year-old is in a critical condition
Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses after a man was seriously assaulted at the weekend in the same street where father-of-two Ian Tomlin was killed last November.
Police were called to Charlotte Despard Avenue at just after 4.30pm on Saturday (25 May) and found a 46-year-old man suffering a head injury. London Ambulance Service attended and the man was taken to hospital. He remains there in a critical condition and his next of kin have been informed.
It is believed that shortly before the victim was assaulted he had approached a group of males who were attempting to steal his moped which was parked nearby, in a car park near to shops off Battersea Park Road.
The victim was attacked in the street by this group of males who made off before police could arrive.
The moped was not stolen and is now being forensically examined.
A 16-year-old male was arrested near the scene a short time later on suspicion of GBH. He was taken to a west London police station and has been bailed to a date in early June pending further enquiries.
Due to the nature of the incident and the victim’s critical condition, the police investigation is being led by detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command.
The senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell, said, “We know there were a group of young males, some on pedal cycles, who were hanging around the area prior to the incident.
“I want to hear from anyone who saw this group or who may know their identity. There is a busy Tesco store and other shops nearby in Battersea Park Road, and people will have seen these males in the area before, during and after the attempted theft of the moped and their subsequent cowardly attack.
“I want to reassure the community that there is an urgent and extremely thorough police investigation underway, and I am determined to find those responsible. I also want to reassure them that any information provided will be treated in confidence and, even if people do not wish to contact police directly, they can provide information anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers.
“I am certain that several people – probably local to the area – will know what happened and who was responsible for this attack on the victim and on their own community. I need them to come forward and share information with me.”
Police also wish to hear from anyone who may have dashcam footage of the incident or of the group of males, and from anyone who has CCTV in the area who has not yet been in contact with officers.
Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4054.
Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Young people can visit fearless.org where they can pass on information anonymously. Fearless is part of the Crimestoppers charity, and is also independent of the police.
May 27, 2019