Pair held over death of drugs fight father
SCOTLAND Yard yesterday denied it has lost control of London’s streets as two men were arrested on suspicion of murdering a father outside his home.
The two suspects, in their 40s, were arrested on Thursday at separate addresses in Wandsworth, south-west London.
Ian Tomlin, 46, was beaten to death outside his home in Battersea, south-west London, on Wednesday.
Medics battled to save his life at the scene but he was pronounced dead 45 minutes later.
Mr Tomlin frequently confronted drug dealers on the estate, his father revealed.
Superintendent Peter Gardner denied the Met had lost control of the streets. He said: “I certainly don’t feel it’s like that but I understand residents’ frustration. We will do everything within our power to investigate this fully.”
The victim’s father Cecil accused the authorities of neglecting their responsibilities and demanded they take action.
He said: “The Government needs to do something because you never see the police and council around here and now my son is dead.”
Cecil said his son was trying to protect his family.
Ian was one of seven brothers and had a son aged nine and a daughter, 10, with an ex-partner who lives in the same block.