BBC man may have been killed trying to stop street fight

Police investigating the murder of a young man stabbed to death in an apparently motiveless attack in north London are examining whether he was murdered while trying to break up a street fight.

Police investigating the murder of a young man stabbed to death in an apparently motiveless attack in north London are examining whether he was murdered while trying to break up a street fight.

Tom Brown, 27, who worked in the BBC's archives department, was described as a selfless man who would help anyone in trouble. He was stabbed yards from his front door in Southgate in the early hours of Saturday after a night out celebrating his birthday.

Police warned that the murder on Southgate High Street was a "dangerous and motiveless" attack and fear the killer could strike again. Robbery has been ruled out as a motive.

Family members paid tribute to Mr Brown at a press conference yesterday. His brother Adam, 42, a television producer, said: "His philosophy was simple - do the right thing and always put others first. He never allowed himself to succumb to envy, ambition and greed. There aren't many people like Tom in the world and the world will be a much poorer place without him."

He added: "Tom had no chance to defend himself. There was no fight, struggle or altercation." Another of his brothers, Paul, 40, a cameraman, appealed for the person who discovered Mr Brown's bodyto come forward. He said: "Whoever murdered Tom has no feeling or conscience and could definitely kill again with the same ruthlessness." He described the area where the murder took place as "a nice, pleasant part of London where you don't expect this to happen".

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Garnishsaid: "He [Tom] would come to the assistance of anyone in trouble, so it is one line of inquiry that he stepped in to help during a fight."