The widow of a dad-of-three brutally killed near their home has spoken of her shock at "frightening" allegations police officers in a nearby station were stopped by superior officers from responding to reports of his stabbing.

Two police sergeants are under investigation and could face prosecution over claims they prevented officers at Addington station responding to the April 2014 attack on Andrew Else, who was knifed more than 200 times just 700m away.

Mr Else, 52, was pronounced dead in Selsdon Park Road soon after the stabbing. 

Ephraim Norman, 24, who has paranoid schizophrenia, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility earlier this year over his death and was ordered to be detained indefinitely at maximum-security hospital Broadmoor.

THURSDAY: Police investigated over 'failing to respond' to death of dad stabbed more than 200 times

FEBRUARY 2015: 'Nothing can prepare you for it': Widow of man stabbed 200 times tells of devastation

Emergency response officers from Croydon police station, nearly four miles away from where Mr Else was killed, were the first on the scene of the stabbing seven minutes after it was reported.

But it emerged this week that officers based at Addington, just a minute's drive from the stabbing, were allegedly told not to respond because they had "more pressing engagements".

Mr Else's widow Clare, who had been kept in the dark about the claims, said yesterday: "I'm not sure what could be more pressing than being stabbed over 200 times.

"It is frightening, because it is everything that you believe in, that they are going to look out for you and look after you.

"Andrew was just left there to bleed out, which is quite distressing in itself.

"Ephraim took breaks while he was stabbing him. Andrew while he's lying there must have just thought, 'Where is the help?' He wouldn't have just died instantly."

Your Local Guardian:

Officers from Croydon police station, pictured left, were first on the scene (marker A), while officers in Addington, right, were told not to respond

Mrs Else, 52, of Woodpecker Mount, Pixton Way, in the Forestdale estate, is taking legal advice over the allegations.

The Metropolitan Police has passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service about the sergeants, who have been placed on restricted duties but not suspended.

Detective Chief Superintendent Alaric Bonthron, from the force's Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), said on Friday: "The suggestion that any police officer has in some way failed to do their duty and respond properly to any call for a response must be fully and properly investigated.

"If any officer has failed in their duty it is only right that they are held to account. Every day in London police officers work hard to keep the public safe. Allegations such as these trouble us all."

One of the sergeants concerned had been moved from a policing team over allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" reported in January last year, police said.

Those claims were reported to the DPS and referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission who advised the investigation should be carried out locally.

The latest allegations over the handling of the call in response to the killing of Mr Else led to the decision to place both sergeants on restricted duties, the Met said.