Officers investigating the murder of Rocky Djelal will be visiting Southwark Park today, one week after the broad daylight stabbing, in a fresh appeal to the local community for witnesses.
Detectives will be handing out witness appeal leaflets inside the park and at the Gomm Road entrance, where the murder suspect was seen leaving the park.
Investigators will be available for members to approach with any information they have about Rocky, the fatal stabbing or the suspect. They will be in the park from 1pm to 4pm.
Mr Djelal, 38, of Bermondsey, was fatally stabbed at around 2pm in Southwark Park on October 31, next to a children’s play area. Police have said there were children playing there at the time.
In chilling CCTV footage released on Friday evening, the suspect is pictured in the moments prior and after the stabbing, before casually strolling out Southwark Park.
Police believe the suspect – seen carrying a Tesco carrier bag – left the park by Gomm Road at around 2:00pm before turning onto Lower Road, passing in front of the Seven Islands Leisure Centre and then towards the roundabout close to the Rotherhithe tunnel.
DCI Simon Harding, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “I hope that by releasing the footage someone might recognise the suspect, his walk, his clothing or maybe his gait.
“I’m sure that someone would have walked past him and I need these sorts of witnesses to come forward and help us piece together his movements.”
He added: “I also would like to hear from anyone who may have taken pictures or video on their mobile phones whilst in Southwark Park between 11:00hrs and 14:15hrs on Wednesday, 31 October.
“It was a clear sunny day and was of course Halloween which may make the public remember where they were.”
- READ MORE: VIDEO: DCI Simon Harding takes the News through the moments leading up to Rocky Djelal’s murder
- READ MORE: VIDEO: Shocking CCTV footage shows Rocky’s suspected killer in Southwark Park stabbing
- READ MORE: ‘Grief-stricken’ family of Rocky Djelal pay their tributes as police release CCTV of killer
The suspect, believed to be a white male around 20-35 years old is seen in the footage wearing black clothes, with his hood up, a bright hi-vis tabbard and lighter-coloured shoes.
Rocky’s bereaved family have paid their tributes to the ‘son, brother, father and uncle’ and thanked all those who waited with him during his final moments.
In a statement via police on Friday, the family said: “We would like to thank everybody for the kind words, love and support you have shown our family at this time.
“Thank you to all of the people who rushed to Rocky’s aid in the park and made sure our boy was not alone in his final moments.
“Thank you to all of our friends and family who waited in the park with us while we waited for our boy to be taken away, we couldn’t have done it without you.”
Anyone with information are urged to call the incident room on 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.
You can also tweet police via @MetCC
Police have not yet arrested anyone and say enquiries continue.