First picture of man chased and stabbed to death leaving a blood trail across Battersea’s ‘murder mile’

The shadow of Battersea Power Station’s huge chimneys stretched across the road Tai Folkes, 25, raced down for his life on Monday night.

But he was caught and knifed and left to die in a car park just yards from where Theo Porteous, 32, was killed in 2023.

The horrific blood trail left behind is now causing locals to dub the blood-soaked street ‘murder mile’.

The shrines to the two men with flowers and messages of condolence are just a few steps from each other in a grim reminder of the violence which has left the community in fear. 

They say the area has become ‘lawless’ with policing more focused on tourists perusing the luxury Rolex and Abercrombie and Fitch stores found in the power station or floating in the Sky Pool oblivious of the carnage below.

Nicholas Scipione, who owns the Two Little Giraffes cafe opposite the crime scene, told Metro: ‘There is so much crime around here now nothing shocks me.

‘The area is lawless it’s like the Wild West not south west London we never see the police here and running a business is very difficult, we do not feel protected.

‘I have been to meetings with the police but nothing changes we are just forgotten.

‘There is the Battersea development with luxury shops nearby and the US embassy as far as we can see that’s where the police resources are going.’

Tracey Godfrey, who lives on Thessaly Road, said: ‘When Theo died on the road, it was terrible, he was a popular guy and it shook us all up.

‘With this latest killing it brings it all back. It’s like we are living in murder mile.’

The fatal attack at just before 6.15pm left the victim with critical injuries and he dies in hospital after paramedics battled to save him at the scene. 

A mother of two who lives in a block overlooking the murder scene told Metro: ‘We heard shouting then saw a man on the ground.

‘Police arrived and swarmed everywhere. There was a lot of blood and a trail where had had been chased. We are scared for our families.’ 

Police have arrested two men in connection with the killing.

Extra officers have been deployed in the area in an effort to reassure the community. 

Detectives have carried out door-to-door inquiries and collected CCTV while forensics officers have scouted for evidence. 

DCI Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Tai’s family and loved ones as they come to terms with his tragic death.

‘Did you see a group of males talking or fighting or anyone running away from these locations around 6.15pm?

‘If you were driving, cycling, or delivering goods in the area at the time, please check your dash‑cam or helmet‑cam footage. Any detail—no matter how minor—could be vital to the investigation.’

Earl Morin-Briton, 36, was convicted of killing Mr Porteous at a trial last year. The court heard that the attack was ‘senseless and unprovoked’. 

His mother Jeanette Porteous told Metro after his killer was jailed: ‘The sentence gives me some sense of closure at least. Some people never get that.

‘Of course nothing will bring my son back but at least his killer has been jailed.

‘I just wish I had a magic wand which I could wave to make knife crime go away. It’s terrible.’

Mrs Porteous said her ‘loving son’ had been a very talented footballer who was from a very close family and that she was ‘heartbroken’. 

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