A man found with stab wounds in a car boot and the body of a man found in a country lane are being linked as police launch a double murder enquiry.
The Metropolitan Police have issued an update this evening as they investigate two murders just five miles apart from each other.
One man was found in the boot of a car in Scratchwood Park just off the A1 Barnet Bypass on Thursday night while a second man was found dead in Hogg Lane near Elstree Aerodrome on Friday afternoon.
The men, both aged in their 30s, are believed to be Eastern European and police also suspect they may be known to each other.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Stancombe is now appealing for members of the public to come forward if they saw or heard anything suspicious in the Barnet or Elstree area over the last few days.
The police investigation began at around 8.15pm on Thursday when officers were called to reports of a fight in Courtland Avenue off the A1.
Credit: Pete Davey/SWNS
A cordon in Courtland Avenue on Friday. Credit: Pete Davey/SWNS
But when Met officers arrived, there was no one to be seen.
Minutes later, police received a call from the London Ambulance Service after a man was found stabbed in Scratchwood Park.
The 31-year-old man was taken to hospital, but he has since been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.
Police in Scratchwood then came across a second man, aged 30, in a car boot.
Police cordon in a car park at Scratchwood Park off the A1. Credit: Pete Davey/SNWS
Police cordon in a car park at Scratchwood Park off the A1. Credit: Pete Davey/SNWS
He was alive when they found him, suffering from multiple stab wounds, but he later died at the scene.
Efforts are ongoing to trace his next of kin. Formal identification awaits.
Detectives spent the night gathering evidence at Scatchwood but the investigation developed the following afternoon.
Police cordon in a car park at Scratchwood Park off the A1. Credit: Pete Davey/SNWS
Hertfordshire Constabulary received a call that a man's body had been discovered in some undergrowth Hogg Lane, Elstree.
He had suffered multiple stab wounds.
The Met were informed and have linked it to the Barnet murder investigation.
BREAKING: A man has been found stabbed to death on a country lane in #Elstree, Hertfordshire.
— London 999 Feed (@999London) December 21, 2019
Detectives from the Met Police are at the crime scene as the death is being linked to the murder of a man in #Barnet, north-London on Thursday 19 December.
More below. pic.twitter.com/0zAyRlxGVa
The Met has confirmed the victim found in Elstree is 35-years-old. His next of kin have been made aware of his death.
Forensics have been at the scene in Elstree today with enquiries ongoing to establish just how long the body had been there for.
A cordon at Hogg Lane
Post-mortems for both victims are in the process of being scheduled and will take place in due course. Their families are being supported by specialist officers.
Hogg Lane has since reopened and now police have launched a plea for any witnesses or anyone with any information to come forward.
DC Stancombe said: “Our investigation is in its very early stages and at this time we are pursuing a number of leads to try to establish exactly what chain of events has led to two men losing their lives.
“Forensics examination continues and we are being closely supported by our colleagues at Hertfordshire Constabulary to understand the chronology of events.
“At these very early stages, we believe both the deceased men are Eastern European males. While we retain an open mind as to a motive, we cannot rule out whether there might be a potential organised criminal element. We also believe that the two victims might have been known to each other.
“I am asking those residents who live in the vicinity of the crime scenes in Barnet and Elstree to think very carefully about anything suspicious you may have seen over the last few days, and to make contact with us immediately.
"I would also like to reassure them that events of this nature are very rare, however if they have any concerns to contact their local neighbourhood officers.”
Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have information around suspicious vehicles being driven erratically in the Barnet/ Elstree areas, or any suspicious activities they may have noticed.
DCI Stancombe added: “The scenes at Scratchwood Park and Hogg Lane are around five miles apart, so only a relatively short distance. It could be that you may have caught something via dashcam footage that could prove massively important.
“The slightest fragment of information could prove crucial, so even if it may seem insignificant, please call the incident room or make use of anonymous methods such as the independent charity Crimestoppers.
“What matters most is that you make the call.”
Anyone who has information, images or video that could assist police are asked to call the incident room on 020 8358 0200, or 101, quoting 7486/19 Dec. Alternatively, tweet @MetCC.
Information can be given to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
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