Knightsbridge stabbing: Man killed in front of partner 'trying to stop mugger'

A man was stabbedto death in front of his terrified partner after fighting back when a masked man tried to grab his gold watch outside a luxury hotel and casino, eyewitnesses have said.

The couple was walking outside a high-end Londoncasino when he was knifed by the man at around 9.30pm yesterday. A police manhunt was launched after paramedics were unable to save the 24-year-old man who died in the street. A forensics tent was seen this morning erected outside the £420-per-night Park Tower Hotel and Casino. One witness, who worked at a nearby luxury hotel close to the murder scene said he was working when the incident took place.

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He told the Mail: "My secretary told me a masked man tried to rob his watch. It was a couple. But the guy pulled out his hand and he took out his knife and stabbed him. The couple were walking along the pavement and he tried to fight back but the guy took the knife and stabbed him in the chest. The police chased the guy but I don't think they caught him.

"I saw a little bit of the CCTV. I saw the man lying out on the pavement, a woman was supporting him and crying. There was a lot of blood. He was wearing a white or cream coloured t-shirt. He was unconscious."

Some witnesses say the killer was on an electric scooter but others say he was on a bike. Tourists and hotel guests in the area have said they are fleeing the capital due to safety fears.

A Japanese tourist told reporters: "A woman who looked like she was with the injured man was screaming 'Oh my God' again and again. She was very very agitated, it was horrible for us to see. We can’t get the incident out of our heads. We didn’t sleep last night."

The Met Police have now launched a murder investigation following the stabbing, with an update from the force saying they were called at 9.24pm last night to "reports from the members of the public of a stabbing". Officers attended the scene where they found a 24-year-old man who had been stabbed.

He was given first aid, but despite the best efforts of emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance, he died at the scene. The force added that his next of kin have been notified and are being supported by specialist officers. No arrests have been made at this time, with police saying a crime scene "will be in place for some time while officers investigate."

Superintendent Owen Renowden, who leads policing in Kensington and Chelsea, said: “Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones following the shocking events that took place last night. Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command, supported by local officers, are working at pace to establish the circumstances of what happened.

“We are aware of reports that this incident was a robbery. Although this is an active line of enquiry, we are keeping an open mind about all possible motives and the exact circumstances are still to be determined. We understand the impact this incident will have on the local community and you will see extra officers in the area to help answer any questions or concerns."

The death comes after the capital's mayor Sir Sadiq Khan announced a new sweeping policing directive on 20 London town centres, where criminal behaviour is blighting people's lives. Deputy mayor for policing and crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said: “Summer is one of the busiest times of the year for our police with a large number of people out and about and our high streets and town streets are bustling.

“But the safety of our town centres is not just about policing – it’s about building stronger, more connected communities where everyone feels secure.”