Police in Camden Gardens this weekend

THE shocking daytime murder of a man in a Camden Town park was a tragedy waiting to happen, according to people living nearby who had raised concerns about safety.

Forensic teams were sent to Camden Gardens, under a railway arch in Camden Street, on Saturday afternoon after police and ambulance teams had responded to reports of a stabbing. A 44-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim had not been named as the New Journal went to press last night (Wednesday), although officers confirmed an arrest had been made.

Now tenants and residents who live close to the gardens have warned that police and the council must have known that the open space has been a crime hot spot for a long time.

One national newspaper described the gardens as a park. Those who live nearby say the gardens have become a place no one wants to visit or walk through.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It is incredibly sad and shocking to hear that someone has lost their life in our once beautiful gardens.

“It has made me very angry how the council and other agencies, including so-called homelessness agencies, have let the tent city expand and thrive.

“Fires, piles of litter, rats, drug dealing, drug taking, anti-social behaviour, and damage to plants, trees and shrubs have left neighbours terrified to enter. The police, fire department and council know of the situation but it seems nothing much has been done to aid these vulnerable people. Residents are placed in a frightening and potentially dangerous position.”

The Daily Mail described Camden Gardens as an ‘upmarket park’

They added: “We never want to see this as an ‘us and them’ situation, causing division between working-class residents and vulnerable people without homes. Many of the residents here, including myself, were once homeless. We thank our lucky stars that we have a roof over our heads.”

They said the murder in Camden Gardens should now act as a “wake-up call”.

Another neighbour said: “Other parks in Camden have locked gates, fewer entry points and higher railings. Why is this park different?

“The gardens were supposed to provide outdoor space to social housing tenants. Instead it is an unusable mess.”

One eyewitness described harrowing scenes as paramedics battled to save the man’s life, telling the New Journal: “It was extremely distressing to see them administering chest compressions in an area that can only be described as a blood bath.”

Residents said they had contacted councillors asking for an intervention.

“I was fobbed off with a response about how the rough sleepers are being provided with daily assistance. I have not seen any evidence to support this,” one said.

Instead, the word “shanty town” has been used to describe the park.

Residents living near the park say that people sleeping rough need more support 

Camden Gardens

Camden police’s Borough Commander Jason Sewart said: “My team are working at pace to establish the full circumstances that led to this man’s tragic death. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and friends at this very difficult time. Residents can expect to see increased patrols as we carry out enquiries.”

The police chief added: “We urge anyone in or around Camden Gardens to look at any CCTV footage and share anything that may be of use with police.

“This was an isolated incident and we do not believe there to be any threat to the wider public.”

Council leader Richard Olszewski said: “We are deeply saddened by what has happened and our thoughts right now are with the loved ones of the person who has died.

“We are working closely with the police to support them with their investigation and to provide reassurance to our communities. “For now, the park remains closed, and we have joint patrols in place with the police to provide visibility and reassurance in the area.

“We are also providing outreach support to people sleeping rough here.”

A Town Hall spokesperson added that the council had used a specialist cleaning firm to tackle mess in the gardens and that some people sleeping there had been helped into more secure accommodation.

They added: “Due to transient nature and size of the encampment, it is increasingly harder for teams to reach out to individuals, but we will continue to do everything we can to support people into safer accommodation and to live away from the streets.”

A Met police spokesperson said a 47-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

He has since been released under investigation until October 13.