Tributes to street cleaner killed by ‘scum of the earth’ burglar

Tributes have been paid to a hard-working street cleaner who was stabbed to death as he tried
to stop a “scum of the earth” burglar.

Piotr Mikewicz, 40, was attacked on Thursday afternoon in Rylett Road, Shepherds Bush, west London, and was taken to hospital by air ambulance but died.

Deputy leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council Greg Smith said Mr Mikewicz had “courageously tried to intervene” when he saw a crime being committed.

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Richard Cassell, a lawyer who owns the house that was burgled, told the Evening Standard he was “devastated”.

He said: “I didn’t really know Piotr because he usually comes round when we’re at work, but many of our neighbours knew him and talked to him. He was a regular and a part of the neighbourhood.

“We would like to try and get in touch with his next of kin to express our gratitude.

“The most tragic and ridiculous thing is that all they took was one laptop. It’s not valuable at all, it’s an old Dell of mine. They also tried to take my wife’s Mac but dropped it and it smashed. To kill a man for something like that is so sad, so pathetic.”

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Six people have been arrested so far in connection with Mr Mikewicz’s death. A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody at a central London police station.

Two other men and three women have all been detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Mr Smith said: “Everyone at the council is deeply saddened by the tragic news that Piotr Mikewicz, who was one of the borough’s dedicated street cleaners, has died after being stabbed by some scum of the earth who obviously has no regard for human life. Piotr was a hard-working man, who was a friendly face to all who knew him on his regular beat.

“Piotr was a family man who courageously tried to intervene when he spotted a crime in progress and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

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“Although this is an isolated incident, it is deeply shocking that Piotr’s genuine act of bravery should end in such brutal violence and we trust that the perpetrators of this evil will be brought to justice swiftly.”

Acting Chief Superintendent Peter Clilverd said in an internet blog that police are using “all of our available resources” to catch the killer.

A post mortem examination was due to be carried out yesterday.

The local authority has opened a book of condolence and
was yesterday flying the flag at Hammersmith Town Hall at half mast.

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