On Tuesday this week dozens of Battersea residents came together for a vigil in memory of the man who died after being stabbed in broad daylight earlier this month.

Mourners lit candles, laid flowers and shared prayers in an emotional gathering, which at times stopped traffic outside Latchmere leisure centre, to pay tribute to 40-year-old Croydon man Tesfa Campbell.

Organised by the nearby St Mary’s church and faith leaders from the area, mourners gathered at the spot where Tesfa was stabbed and the point, a short walk up the road, where he fell to the ground.

The death followed a fight on Latchmere Road at 2.45pm on Wednesday, July 3. Tesfa was rushed to hospital but died hours later from his injuries.

Jerome Bailey, 37, from Streatham, was charged on Monday and will appear in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court. Two women aged 26 and 23 was also both arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova was one of many who attended the vigil and said: “I was honoured to join Tesfa’s friends and family for this vigil. Yet again, our community is crying, yet again we are shedding tears for a life taken too soon by violence.

“My heart goes out to Tesfa’s loved ones, the tributes that were paid to him were glowing and I can’t imagine how hard this loss must be for them to take.

“This is the fourth death through violent crime in my constituency in just a handful of months.

“The causes of violent crime are varied with poverty and inequality being key drivers.

“We need a robust strategy to tackle the root causes of violent crime, looking at cuts to youth service, neighbourhood policing, gang culture and school exclusions.”