A loving father of two has been stabbed to death outside a luxury hotel and casino in west London in what police believe was a watch robbery gone wrong, as the capital grapples with rising street crime in affluent areas.
Blue Stevens, 24, from Yateley in Surrey, was attacked outside the Park Tower hotel and casino in Knightsbridge shortly before 9.30pm on Wednesday. Paramedics and London’s Air Ambulance treated him at the scene but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards, leaving his partner and young children devastated.
The victim’s partner, who witnesses said was with him as he died, returned to the crime scene on Thursday to leave a heartbreaking tribute amongst growing floral displays. In a card, she wrote: “To My Blue. We are all absolutely devastated without you. You took a piece of my heart with you. A part of me has gone with you. I love you more than absolutely anyone in this world. My boy forever and always.”
Family’s Heartbreak
Stevens’ mother Charlie posted on Facebook: “Please. I want him back.” She added: “Everyone in your life will have a last day with you, and you won’t even know when it will be. Cherish them before it’s too late.”
A cousin who arrived at the scene holding white flowers told Metro: “He had two lovely kids and was a loving father he lived for his children. He was such a nice person a real good person.”
When asked about the suspected watch robbery, they confirmed Stevens had a passion for wrist watches, saying: “Yes he really loved watches of all kinds.”
Another family friend said: “He was a great dad and would help anyone out. He often helped me just a great guy.” A friend added: “He was Blue Stevens from Surrey. Forever 26.”
Watch Robbery Investigation
The Metropolitan Police are treating the killing as a suspected robbery, with multiple witnesses reporting the attack was an attempt to steal Stevens’ watch. Superintendent Owen Renowden said: “Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones following the shocking events that took place last night.”
He added: “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.”
Stevens is understood to have driven to Knightsbridge in a white BMW, which he parked just 50 yards from the crime scene. Police believe he was returning to his vehicle when he was attacked.
Witness Accounts Paint Horrific Scene
A Japanese tourist on holiday in London with her family witnessed the aftermath and told Metro: “The man lay bleeding and another man was giving him treatment to try to save his life. They were giving chest compressions.”
She continued: “A woman who looked like she was with the injured man was screaming ‘oh my god’ again and again. She was very very agitated. It was horrible for us to see. We can’t get the incident out of our heads. We didn’t sleep last night.”
Harrowing online footage claimed to show the aftermath of the stabbing shows a woman desperately trying to stem the flood of blood from a chest wound on the victim.
A worker at a nearby luxury hotel said: “I was working there last night. My secretary told me a masked man tried to rob his watch. It was a couple. But the guy pulled out his hand and he took out his knife and stabbed him.
Hotel Guests Warned About Watch Robberies
Saad Alnuami, 45, from Qatar, who is staying at the Park Tower hotel, said staff warned him about the incident on Thursday morning. “I was told by staff this morning to be careful because a man had been killed in a watch robbery gone wrong,” he told Metro.
“They said be careful do not wear valuables. I do not wear an expensive watch know better than that London is not 100 per cent safe.”
Two American guests staying at the hotel said: “We were out around the same time this happened and my father passed by and it happened right there. The concierge said it was a stabbing. There was an argument and he [the attacker] was on a bike.”
They added: “All our friends that live here told us don’t wear expensive watches. It’s kind of sad being in London not being able to wear your expensive jewellery.”
Casino Staff Express Horror
Staff at the casino spoke of their horror after the incident. One told Metro: “Knightsbridge is just not the same it’s not safe. For this to happen here is becoming common nowhere is safe. I started work this morning and there was a police tape. It’s just horrific.”
Local resident Marco Cash told Metro: “I can’t believe the way things are getting right around here it’s rough and I was born in the Gorbals in Glasgow. I don’t wear a watch around here as I wouldn’t want to get it nicked or attacked for it.”
A spokesperson at the hotel confirmed the man was not a guest.
Major Police Investigation Underway
The Metropolitan Police have established a major crime scene outside the casino, with a forensics tent erected at the location. No arrests have been made yet, with the force saying it is pursuing “several” lines of enquiry.
Detectives are collecting CCTV footage from dozens of cameras in the area, many on nearby hotels and businesses in the exclusive district. There are no police officers investigating inside the casino, with officers focusing on the street outside.
The Park Tower Casino was first built in 1973 and refurbished in 2002. It features a five-star, 251-room hotel with a casino on the ground floor. Its premium location in Knightsbridge is just around the corner from Hyde Park and close to Harrods and Harvey Nichols, with rooms offering views of the iconic London skyline.
Crime Blitz Announcement Timing
The murder came hours after London Mayor Sadiq Khan promised a police blitz on crime in the capital. This summer, town centres and high streets will see more police, as part of our collaborative work to tackle shoplifting, theft and anti-social behaviour,” he wrote on social media.
“We’re working with the Met, local partners and community groups to build safer town centres and a safer London for everyone.”
The Met have identified the top 32 town centre and high street locations across London that have the biggest challenge with anti-social behaviour, theft and street crime.
Community Impact
Superintendent Renowden acknowledged the impact on the local community, saying: “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.”
Cities of London and Westminster MP Rachel Blake said she had contacted police for updates and offered condolences to Stevens’s family, adding that the incident was “deeply distressing for residents and visitors to the Knightsbridge area.”
One tourist from Cheshire who had been considering relocating to London told LBC: “We love London and we’re staying at a little hotel nearby. It’s lovely. We were toying with relocating, having a look at property, trying to find somewhere we could afford around here.”
However, after learning of the stabbing, he concluded that London was “clearly not” safe.
Police are calling on anyone who saw the attack or has any information to contact them on 101 referencing CAD 8521/09JUL, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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