A murder investigation has been launched after a man was found stabbed in a South Norwood park.
Police and paramedics were called to South Norwood Recreation Ground near Tennison Road yesterday at 7.47pm to reports of an unresponsive man.
The man, believed to be in his late teens or early 20s, was found suffering from a stab wound. He was pronounced dead at 8.45pm.
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Scotland Yard detectives from Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating the death as a murder and the area was still being treated as a crime scene this afternoon, police said.
No arrests have been made.
A post-mortem and formal identification of the man are expected to take place today.
The park remained cordoned off this afternoon, as forensic teams with sniffer dogs looked for evidence.
A white forensics tent could be seen near to a children's playground by the Tennison Road entrance to the park.
A police van and cars were parked by the entrance, near to Heavers Farm Primary School.
Residents of houses near the park entrance said they had not been aware of anything until the police arrived at the park last night.
Yvonne Fowler, 30, said she noticed the police cars last night but had not known why they were there and was "shocked" to learn of the murder investigation.
She told the Croydon Guardian: "I've only lived here for a year. I've heard reports that these things can happen around here, but I've always felt safe walking through [the park]."
As a forensics team combed the ground of the children’s play area, passing cyclist Teresa Minondo, 36, got off her bike to watch.
When she learned about the murder investigation, she said: "Oh my gosh. I didn’t know yesterday - I thought it was closed.
"You only see this kind of thing on the TV; now it’s real."
Ms Minondo said she often used the park as a cut-through between Norwood Junction station and her house in nearby Davidson Road.
She added: "If it is a dangerous place I will try to avoid it. I didn’t think it was before, but now… I will have to start thinking about it.
"Sometimes there are people having a joint there, but nothing like this."
A driver passing the park slowed down in the road, wound down her window and asked what had happened.
After being informed of the man's death, she said: "That's so sad".
Another passerby shook her head in sadness on hearing what had happened.
She said: "What is the world coming to?"
Police officers knocked at houses near to the park as they looked for witnesses last night, according to one resident.
He said: "We don't know anything. The police came and asked us last night.
"We have been here 15 years and this is the first time something like this has happened.
Another said it was "scary" for such a thing to happen in the area.
She added: "On your doorstep, it's a bit too close."
But others seemed less shocked by the killing. A man walking his dog past the park this afternoon remarked sarcastically: "Another killing in South Norwood. How unusual."
Police are asking anyone with information to call them on 020 8721 4054 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Got a story? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6388 or email daniel.omahony@newsquest.co.uk
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