Residents have spoken of their shock after a man was killed on their street as they slept.

The 44-year-old victim, who has yet to be named, was left dying after being stabbed in a property in Hamerton Road, Northfleet, in the early hours of Tuesday.

Police have since launched a murder inquiry and forensics experts and officers remained at the scene today, while a 28-year-old man arrested in Essex yesterday has been taken into custody for questioning.

Those living in houses just yards from the scene on the narrow street of terraced houses said they had heard nothing at the time of the attack, and had only found out when police began carrying out inquiries hours later.

"It was a total shock," said Iain Love, who lives opposite the crime scene.

"I was fast asleep at the time. The thing that woke me was the police officer knocking at the door later."

Speaking of the victim, he said: "I didn't know him but I knew of him. He was there on his own as far as we could make out - I think he had a young son, but he didn't live with him.

"He seemed to be a normal guy - I saw him to say 'hi' too but that was it.

"We've only found out everything else through the media."

He added: "We've never had any issues here, other than when the tyres were slashed the other week, but that just seemed like an idiot going around so I don't think it's connected.

"We've got young children and we're happy for them to be on the street - it's not a problem. People tend to keep to themselves.

"I had to phone my mum and dad, because I'm roughly the same age, to say it's not me."

Partner Carol Crowther added: "He didn't seem like he was in trouble. He was just a normal guy. There wasn't people coming or going from the house or anything."

Another anonymous resident said they had suspected the street would be the scene of a serious crime sooner or later.

"I'm surprised it hasn't happened before – there's drugs everywhere and brothels down the road. Before we moved here this house was a brothel.

"It's just this whole area has got worse. We've had car tyres slashed and trouble with football fans a couple of years ago, but this is the first killing I've known in this area.

"It's a nightmare to live around here. You get people coming through at night who haven't paid at the train station - I saw the police down here only the night before.

And she added: "Usually I hear everything, but I didn't hear anything.

"I don't know what it was about. I didn't really talk to him. I said 'hello' in passing every now and again.

"He kept to himself."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01634 792 209, quoting reference number 04-0088, via the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111, or by completing an online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

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