A murder investigation has been launched after a ‘true gentleman bus driver’ in his fifties was stabbed to death while ‘walking home with his shopping’.

Police were called at around 11.05pm on Tuesday, 30 July, to reports of a man named locally as Derick Thomas suffering a stab injury on Northwold Road in Hackney, northeast London.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended but despite their best efforts the man, believed aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed. A post mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

There have been no arrests and officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances.

Locals stopping by the cordon have reacted in anger to the tragic stabbing.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: ‘It’s another f****** senseless murder.

‘This area has gone to complete s***.

‘The police are only here after something’s happened.

‘When are they going to start doing their job and start stopping things?’

Another local resident added: ‘These days, if you’re in London in the wrong place at the wrong time, you’re gonna get stabbed.

‘I don’t even want to leave the house anymore. It’s so frustrating.’

Meanwhile, Abdul, 22, said the area is full of ‘shady’ people.

The shopkeeper said: ‘It happened late enough for no one to notice.

‘In this area, depending on what time it is, there’s definitely enough shady people out.’

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway who is responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets said: ‘I understand the shock and concern this incident will cause, even more so given the recent and tragic murder of Pharrell Garcia on the borough last week. 

‘However, I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working diligently to identify whoever is responsible for this violent act.

‘Our most immediate thoughts are clearly with the family and friends of the man killed last night.

‘Whilst these two dreadful murders happened in the same area of Hackney there is no suggestion of a link between the two. A person has been charged with Pharrell’s murder and they are awaiting trial.

‘Nevertheless, they do highlight the continued danger presented to the public by people who arm themselves with knives. We have additional resources focused on deterring such a threat and we are working hard with our local partners to reduce knife crime.

‘If you have information that could assist the investigation then please get in touch with us.’

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD 8517/30Jul. 

You can also provide information, completely anonymously, to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Additionally, if you know someone who is regularly carrying a knife, you can also pass that information to us, without telling the police who you are, through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Knife crime hurts all our communities – you can help us tackle this.

Tom Joyner, Managing Director for Go-London, said: ‘It is with great sadness that our colleague Derek Thomas, a driver for Go-Ahead London was fatally injured in an isolated incident while on his way home from work. 

‘The entire team at Go-Ahead London is saddened by this incident and the tragic loss of one of their colleagues, and our thoughts are with the family of the colleague who has lost their life. 

‘We will ensure our teams and the family of our colleague receive any support required from Go-Ahead London during this difficult time. We are assisting the Police with their investigation into the incident.’