Park Lane stabbing: Bouncer knifed to death trying to stop New Year’s party gatecrashers at exclusive London address

Two other security staff and woman also suffer knife wounds in attack in Mayfair

A man has been arrested after a bouncer was stabbed to death outside one of London’s most exclusive residences.

Scotland Yard launched a murder investigation after 33-year-old Tudor Simionov was fatally knifed as he stopped a group of men trying to force their way into a New Year’s Eve party in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Two other security staff and a woman who came to help were also stabbed. The Metropolitan Police said their injuries were “serious” but not life-threatening.

The doormen, all aged in their thirties, were guarding a private event at a £12.5m townhouse on Park Lane, Mayfair, one of Britain’s most famous addresses.

Police said they were attacked by a group of men who had been blocked from entering the building at about 5.30am. The woman, 29, was also stabbed when she helped security staff close the front door.

Mr Simionov, a Romanian national who lived in Ilford, east London, was pronounced dead by medics at 6.05am. His next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination was due to take place on Thursday.

Scotland Yard said a 26-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murder. He was taken into custody at a central London police station.

Detectives have urged witnesses, some of whom may have captured the attack on their mobile phones, to come forward.

“This shocking attack has left one man dead and three others with significant injuries,” said Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge. “The fact this takes place during the New Year celebrations has rightly captured a lot of attention.

“Whilst my team have already spoken to a number of witnesses, others are yet to be traced.

“It is understandable that some people may have left the scene immediately after having witnessed the attack, possibly not knowing how serious it was at the time. But now, knowing this has resulted in murder of Mr Simionov and the serious injuries inflicted upon the three other victims, they should come forward and assist the investigation.”

The attack took place outside 80 Park Lane, a building which features one of the world’s most expensive student properties – a townhouse costing £4,000 a week to rent.

Marketed as the ultimate student accommodation, the three-bedroom townhouse has views over Hyde Park, designer decor, a glass roof and its own 24-hour concierge.

Student accommodation within 80 Park Lane, the building that was the scene of the New Year’s Day stabbing (SWNS)

Mr Simionov was one of two people knifed to death in London less than two hours apart during a bloody start to the new year.

A 33-year-old mother died after being stabbed at her home in Camberwell, south London, in the early hours of the morning. Charlotte Huggins, who lived with her 11-year-old daughter, was pronounced dead at 4.50am, hours after wishing friends on Facebook “a healthy, happy 2019”.

Detectives are also investigating a gun attack at a New Year’s Eve party at a nightclub in Hackney, east London. A woman in her twenties was shot in the leg at the 588 club in Dalston, east London. She was taken to hospital but her condition was not thought to be life-threatening, police said.

Anyone with information on the Park Lane stabbing has been asked to contact the police incident room on 0208 358 0300.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.