LATEST: Appeal to trace man in connection with murder investigation

Detectives searching for a man in connection with the fatal stabbing of Derek Thomas in Stoke Newington now believe he is in the Devon and Cornwall area.

Police have been working to trace Kamar Williams, 33 (21.01.91), whose home address is in the Isle of Dogs E14, since the fatal attack on Tuesday, 30 July.

The investigation is led by Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers in the Met’s Specialist Crime (Homicide) Command.

He said: “Our enquiries now lead us to believe that Kamar has been in the Camborne area of Cornwall for a number of days now.

“We’re grateful for the help of our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, who are working alongside officers in my team to carry out searches and locate Williams.

“I urge any local people who see Williams to call 999 immediately. Do not approach him. If you have information as to his whereabouts, call us immediately.

“Kamar, if you are reading this – do the right thing and go to a police station immediately. There are scores of officers out looking for you and dozens of others working behind the scenes, and that is not going to change until you are in custody.

“We still believe Williams is being helped with transport and accommodation. I have to reiterate again that anyone working to frustrate our enquiries can expect to find themselves in very serious trouble that could end up with them going to prison. Think long and carefully about whether that is something you want.”

The last sighting of Williams in London was at around 19:15hrs on Saturday, 3 August, when officers acting on intelligence stopped a car on Westbourne Avenue, at the junction with Burnt Ash Hill.

As officers approached on foot the car drove off and collided with a several others. A number of people sustained minor injuries – fortunately none of them serious.

Williams got out of the vehicle and ran off. A woman was arrested at the scene.

We believe he sustained a leg injury in that incident, for which he received hospital treatment.

Police were called at approximately 23:05hrs on Tuesday, 30 July to reports of a man suffering a stab injury on Northwold Road, N16.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended but despite their best efforts the man, Derek Neil Thomas, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Derek was aged 53 and lived in Stoke Newington.

His next of kin are aware and are being supported by specially trained officers.

A post-mortem examination held at Poplar Mortuary on Thursday, 1 August gave cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

A 30-year-old woman was arrested on Saturday, 3 August on suspicion of assisting an offender and taken into custody. She was later released on bail.

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3715, 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD 8517/30Jul.

You can also provide information, completely anonymously, to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.