A man has been killed while trying to stop a knifeman stealing his watch in a horrific stabbing in London’s most expensive borough.
The victim was knifed to death outside Park Tower Hotel and Casino in London’s Knightsbridge, with rooms costing around £1,650-a-night.
Californian tourist Sarah, who is staying in the hotel with her family and claimed to have been standing across the street when the incident happened, told LBC one of the staff members had told her it was “over a Rolex”.
A worker at a nearby luxury hotel also said they were “working there last night” and their secretary “told me a masked man tried to rob (the victim’s) watch”.
“It was a couple,’ he told MailOnline. “But the guy pulled out his hand and he took out his knife and stabbed him.”
The man said the victim was walking along the pavement and “tried to fight back” but he was stabbed in the chest.
The tragic killing has resulted in London being compared to a Brazilian favela after witnesses claim a man was fatally stabbed while fighting off an attacker from stealing his Rolex.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is among those to have commented on the attack.
Man stabbed to death ‘while trying to stop knifeman stealing his watch’ as London compared to Brazilian FAVELA
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“London is in a state of collapse,” he said. “Crime is out of control.”
Reform’s Zia Yusuf added it was “tragic news”, warning: “People increasingly think of London as a favela”.
“A place where just walking around with a valuable brings mortal risk,” he said on X.
Officers were called to the scene at 9.24pm last night following reports of a 24-year-old man being stabbed on Seville Street.
Park Tower Hotel and Casino in Knightsbridge
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The officers gave first aid on arrival but the man tragically died at the scene.
Two American guests staying at the hotel said “it happened right there” when they were out at the same time of the incident.
They were told by the concierge “it was a stabbing” and the attacker was on a bike.
“All our friends that live here told us don’t wear expensive watches,” one of the guests said.
“It’s kind of sad being in London not being able to wear your expensive jewellery.”
Emergency services were called to the scene about 9.30pm on Wednesday after reports of a stabbing on in Knightsbridge.
Police were assisted by paramedics, however the man died at the scene.
A London Ambulance spokesman said resources were sent to the scene, including “fast response cars and an incident response officer”.
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.”
However, no arrests have yet been made as inquiries into the incident continue.
