Man beaten to death in street by 'gang armed with baseball bats'

Police are continuing to appeal for information after a man was beaten to death by a gang armed with baseball bats in east London. Emergency services were called following reports of a fight at High Road junction with Connaught Road in Ilford around 2:48am on 12 November.

When officers arrived, they discovered a man believed to be in his 20s suffering from critical injuries. He was taken to an east London hospital by London Ambulance Service where he died a short while later at 4:35am.

Enquiries are underway to identify the victim and a post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

Police are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward, including those who may have captured the incident on video.

DCI Andrew Packer, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "This was a brutal and prolonged attack on an individual by a group of up to five people.

"Early indications are that this group have attacked the male, inflicting fatal blows with items such as baseball bats.

"I would like to appeal to anyone in Ilford High Road, near the junction with Connaught Road, at the time of the attack to get in touch and speak with my team.

"This investigation is still at its early stages and it is vital we speak to witnesses and others who have information about what took place but are yet to come forward.

"I would also like to appeal to anyone who may have captured footage from the scene to contact police. Your footage may hold vital evidence and you may well have captured the suspects at the scene or running away."

Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information should call the Homicide and Major Crime Command on 020 8345 3865, send a message via Twitter @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.