Condolence Books Open for Stabbing Victim Piotr
Flag at Town Hall is flying at half mast on Friday
Hammersmith and Fulham Council is inviting local residents to leave messages of condolence for the family of Piotr Mikiewicz, the street cleaner who died yesterday after being stabbed in Rylett Road in Shepherd's Bush on Wednesday August 29.
Piotr, who was 40, died in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington with his wife and brothers at his bedside.
The council says condolence books are open from lunchtime on Friday, August 31 in Shepherd's Bush Library and in Hammersmith Town Hall.
Local people can also leave messages on the council's website.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has lowered the flag above Hammersmith Town Hall to half mast on Friday August 31.
Local residents have also been tweeting messages of sympathy on Hammersmith and Fulham Police's Twitter account @MPSHammFul and asking if a collection can be organised for Piotr's family.
Piotr, an employee of service company Serco, became suspicious of activity in a local property around 1.50pm on Wednesday and confronted a man who attacked him with a knife and stabbed him in the chest.
An air ambulance landed in nearby Wendell Park and took him to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, where he was reported to be in critical condition before dying on Thursday afternoon with his family at his bedside.
Following his death, Hammersmith and Fulham Police Acting Chief Superintendent Peter Clilverd, who is in temporary charge of the Borough while Borough Commander Lucy D’Orsi is briefly on leave, released this statement on the Borough Commander's blog:
"A street cleaner who was stabbed after trying to stop a burglar from getting away in west London has died from his injuries.
" The man, aged 40, died in St Mary’s Hospital Paddington earlier today, Thursday 30 August. Although police believe they know the man’s identity, we await formal identification.
"At approx 1.50pm on Wednesday 29 August, police were called to Rylett Road, W12, regarding an assault.
" A man had suffered a stab wound to the torso.
" The deceased is from Eastern Europe - exact nationality awaits.
" Five people have been arrested today in connection with the incident.
" A man aged 30 was arrested on suspicion of murder. He is currently in custody at a central London police station.
" Two other men and three women have all been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender."
On Thursday evening, this was followed by a statement from Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Deputy Leader, Cllr Greg Smith. He said: " "Everyone at the council is deeply saddened by the tragic news that Piotr Mikiewicz, who was one of the borough's dedicated street cleaners, has died after being stabbed by some scum of the earth who obviously has no regard for human life.
" Piotr was a hard-working man, who was a friendly face to all who knew him on his regular beat.
"Piotr was a family man who courageously tried to intervene when he spotted a crime in progress and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.
“Although this is an isolated incident, it is deeply shocking that Piotr's genuine act of bravery should end in such brutal violence and we trust that the perpetrators of this evil will be brought to justice swiftly."
Anyone who can offer information about the incident is asked to call 101 and quote CAD 4740 or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.
August 31, 2012
