Driver of Mercedes MPV seen near scene at time of killing sought

The teenager murdered in North Acton last Thursday (1 December) has been named as Khalid Safi. A post mortem has found that he died of a stab wound to the heart.

Although formal identification is yet to take place, detectives are satisfied the victim is Khalid Safi recently residing in Southwark, but who had links to the Wembley, Peterborough and Walsall areas.

At the same time as publishing the victim's name, the police have released details of a vehicle believed to be a mini-cab which was spotted near the scene. The car is a silver or light coloured Mercedes Vito people carrier or similar that pulled up outside the Holiday Inn on Victoria Road at approximately 6.30pm. They believe the driver could be a key witness.

The Holiday Inn on Victoria Road, North Acton

Khalid was still alive after the police attended reports of a fight at around 6.33pm and was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service but died shortly afterwards.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Price, who is leading the investigation for the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said, "There were a lot of people in the area of Victoria Road at the time of the incident and whilst we have spoken with the woman we had previously appealed for, I believe that not everyone has come forward at this time.

"I am continuing to appeal for anyone who witnessed the fatal stabbing or moments leading up to it to contact officers in the incident room.

"We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a silver or light coloured people carrier, or similar, parked briefly outside Holiday Inn in Victoria Street at approximately 6.30pm the night of incident. If you are this person, or know who this person is, please contact us and help our investigation.

Anyone with any information concerning this incident is asked to call the police incident room on 020 8721 4054. To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

December 4, 2016