Park murder: man held

A former mental patient is today being questioned by police after a cyclist was stabbed to death in a London park.

Detectives believe the attacker then ran a mile and a half in a desperate attempt to flee the scene as his victim lay dying in a pool of blood.

One detective said the 41-year-old suspect had been a mental patient and had recently been released from a hospital in Wandsworth. He is understoodto have a history of psychiatric illness and extreme violence.

Officers are investigating why the "highly dangerous individual" had been released back into the community without Scotland Yard being informed by the local health authority.

The police source said: "It appears the victim was a normal man who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. There is no connection between the two men. This appears to have been a random attack. What we want to know is why we were not informed that the suspect, with such a violent history, was back on the streets. The local authorities should have told the police so that we can protect the public."

Today the 2,500-acre park remains closed as police continue to search for the murder weapon and carry out forensic tests.

Detectives are attempting to discover the sequence of events which led to the body being discovered close to the East Sheen Gate.

The man, who has not yet been named, was cycling along a gravel path when he was struck. He staggered about 200 yards calling for help before collapsing.

A member of the public saw the attack and called police, who immediately scrambled a helicopter. A man was seen running through the park towards Ham, but was tracked down within 20 minutes in a dramatic helicopter chase as he attempted to hide in the long grass. As the helicopter circled above, officers swooped to arrest him.

The victim was taken to Charing Cross Hospital but he died from his injuries three hours later. A post mortem has been carried out and he is expected to be identified formally today.

Detective Superintendent Mark Jackson, in charge of the inquiry, said police were keeping an open mind about a motive. He said: "A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to a west London police station, where he is still being held in custody. Witnesses are also still being questioned." People inside the park were quizzed as they left. Hundreds of drivers, runners and dog-walkers are today being turned away from the park, which may stay closed for the next two days.

Bruce Sutherland, 38, a publisher from Richmond, cycled past the scene minutes after the attack. He said: "I saw the police who said they were looking for a suspect wearing a light blue top and brown trousers. Within 100 yards I came across a bike on the ground. There was a silver watch with a broken strap next to it and a fairly big bloodstain.

"There were about four police officers attending the body near a big tree, 200 yards away from the bike. As I approached they said we had to leave." Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 7321 2951 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.