Anerley stabbing: Girl, 16, arrested on suspicion of murder after man killed in London

‘We need information from the public to keep up the momentum of this investigation,’ police say

Ayodeji Habeeb Azeez, 22, was killed in broad daylight in Anerly, south London (Police handout)

A 16-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of murder over the stabbing of 22-year-old Ayodeji Habeeb Azeez in Anerley, in south London, on Sunday.

The girl, who cannot be named due to her age, is in custody in a south London police station, the Metropolitan Police said.

The arrest is the third in connection with the murder of Azeez, who died of multiple stab wounds after an attack on a residential street in broad daylight.

Police are still appealing for witnesses after the two others arrested - men aged 19 and 21 - were released under investigation.

The attack happened at around 12.30pm on 4 November in Samos Road, near Crystal Palace.

Met officers, paramedics and London’s air ambulance attended and found Azeez suffering stab injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.59pm

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell, who is leading the investigation said: “This attack took place in the middle of the day, in broad daylight in a residential street. It goes without saying that this incident would have stood out in what would normally have been a quiet environment.

“It appears that four or five male suspects were involved in the attack; both they and Ayodeji were seen to run into Samos Road from Grace Mews. By this point Ayodeji had been attacked. The suspects fled in one direction while Ayodeji went the other way before he collapsed.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area on Sunday afternoon and saw this attack, or the events surrounding the attack, to come forward and speak to police. This includes trying to establish if anyone was with Ayodeji when he was attacked.”

He added: “My officers are making progress as to why Ayodeji was in the area, why he came to be attacked and who was responsible for his murder, but we need information from the public to assist us in keeping the momentum of this investigation moving forward.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact the incident room on 020 8721 4054. To remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.