A tribute has been paid to the “well-respected” bin man who was killed in a triple stabbing in west London on Monday.
Wayne Broadhurst, 49, was walking his dog when he was fatally stabbed in Midhurst Gardens, Uxbridge, at 17:00 GMT on Monday.
A second man, 45, was taken to hospital with life-changing injuries after he was allegedly saved by his next * door neighbours. A boy, 14, was also injured, police said.
A 22-year-old Afghan national was Tasered and arrested at the scene. He is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, the Met Police said.
The attack is not being treated as terrorism, and detectives are working to establish any relationship between the suspect and the three * victims, the Metropolitan Police said.
On Wednesday, Katarina Pohancenikova, managing director of Greener Ealing Ltd, said: “We are very * sorry to confirm that one of Greener Ealing's employees, Wayne Broadhurst, died following the tragic incident that took place in Uxbridge on Monday evening.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Wayne's family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.
“This is a devastating loss. Wayne was a well-respected and dedicated member of our team who made a real contribution to the work we do and to the residents we serve.
“We ask for the privacy of Wayne's loved ones to be respected as they come to terms with this appalling news.”
The 45-year-old man who was also stabbed in the attack “maybe would have died” had he not been protected by his neighbours, one resident said.
Tahira Hassan, who lives next * to the scene in Midhurst Gardens, said a teenage boy with blood on his shirt knocked on the door of her family home asking for help at around 17:00 GMT on Monday.
When her husband opened the door, four or five residents from a house opposite emerged with baseball bats to protect the injured man.
Mrs Hassan said: “The injured person was sitting in front of their house.
“They had bats. There were four or five people.
“They were protecting him, so they saved his life. They did a very * good job.
“Maybe he would have died if they didn't protect him.”
Mrs Hassan, who is in her 40s, said the 45-year-old victim has a wife, son and daughter, and lives in a house on Midhurst Gardens.
She said the attacker – whom she had never seen on the street before – had a “knife in his hand”, was wearing a black jacket and was a “tall slim person”.
When the knifeman spotted a dog walker he “straight away attacked him … so many times”, she added.
The residents Mrs Hassan said protected the man were approached for comment, but they did not wish * to speak.
The Home Office * confirmed the suspect entered the UK in a lorry in November 2020, was granted asylum and leave to remain in 2022, and does not live in Home Office * accommodation.
A Home Office * spokesperson offered sympathies to those impacted by the “horrific incident” and are being updated by the Met as the investigation continues.
“The priority must now * be for the police to investigate so those responsible can be brought to justice,” they added.
On Tuesday evening, about 100 people held a minute's silence by the cordon surrounding the scene.
They applauded at the end and the group started to disperse shortly after.
A large group of men, women and children laid flowers at the junction between Midhurst Gardens and Leybourne Road, and some lit candles.
Ch Supt Jill Horsfall described the attack as a “shocking and senseless act of violence”
“Our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time,” she said.
She added: “The incident will have understandably caused concern to the local community.
“I have deployed multiple officers to the local area, they will be here throughout the week to provide reassurance while detectives work intensely to piece together the circumstances.
“I understand that there has been a lot of speculation online following on from this incident. We ask that you rely on us for information, and that you do not share sensitive footage.”
The family of the deceased man have been told and are being supported by specially-trained officers, the Met said.
Anyone who saw or has information about the incident are asked to contact police.
