29-year-old father Akilan Kandhasamy was stabbed in the New Horizon Centre’s car park on Saturday night while attending a child’s birthday party.
A ‘reassurance meeting’ for Pollards Hill residents was held by Merton Borough Council on Tuesday evening following a fatal stabbing on Saturday night.
It aimed to address public safety concerns over the unprecedented attack on 29-year-old father Akilan Kandhasamy.
The meeting was held at the scene of the murder, the New Horizon Centre on South Lodge Avenue, which was closed for police inspection until Monday.
Mr Kandhasamy was stabbed in the centre’s car park while attending a child’s birthday party.
He suffered a deep wound to the heart and was pronounced dead at the scene after collapsing inside The New Horizon Centre in front of party guests.
“It was mindless,” said Jenny Hill of the Commonside Community Development Trust.
“When we came in on Monday everything was left just as it was – the cake, the presents. It was horrendous.”
The centre is opposite the Pollards Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team office, which was closed at the time of the incident.
Local residents questioned police, youth workers and residents’ association representatives about how and why the murder happened.
The meeting was chaired by Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh.
She said: “It should never have happened and I hope that the person who did it is found.
“I hope that lessons will be learnt and that there will be a concentration on what’s actually going on here, from the police, from the youth services and from housing.”
Investigation leader Detective Chief Inspector Mark Dunne said that a 16-year-old man was arrested on Monday and another arrest was planned for today.
He said that the murder weapon, a kitchen knife, was found minutes before the meeting started at about 7.10pm.
Inspector Jim Cook and Sergeant Keith Moody of Pollards Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team answered questions about local safety.
Many residents expressed concern over a lack of police patrols in the area and inadequate responses to incident reports.
Inspector Cook said that Merton Police respond to all calls within set times according to urgency.
Sergeant Moody outlined current actions to increase public safety, such as Operation Autumn Nights, plain-clothed patrols and school visits to discourage violent crime.
A Merton Youth Service officer said they were also working to engage with young people to draw them off the streets and away from anti-social behaviour.
A representative from Moat housing association told residents the company was increasing safety measures such as lighting and entry systems on their properties in the area.
But Ms McDonagh said that trends towards violence and robbery were increasing in the community.
She said she has been discussing policing issues in Parliament and questioning Mayor Boris Johnson on his policy.
She said: “I will continue to ask questions, I will continue to write letters, I will continue to go and see people.”
Mr Kandhasamy’s 23-year-old widow and 9-month-old son were not present at the meeting.
If you have any information, call the incident room on 020 8721 4906 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
