Police are hunting a murderer after a man was found suffocated to death in his Croydon flat.

Police were called to the flats in Mayday Road on Wednesday morning where officers found a 51-year-old man dead.

DC Richard Heselden, who is leading the investigation, said there was evidence the front door to the flat had been forced open and he was keeping an open mind as to who the murderer could be.

He made an urgent appeal for witnesses to come forward to help police find the killer.

"The victim was last seen at 7pm on Tuesday night and a resident discovered him at 9am the following morning," he said.

"There are signs the front door was forced and we are very keen to talk to anyone who saw the victim after 7pm on the Tuesday,"

A neighbour, Sharon Williams, told the Guardian that the victim was a quiet man, who kept himself to himself' and added that there had been a lot of trouble in the area recently, including four break-ins in the past week.

"I'm scared to live here," she said. "I've only been here eight months and already I want to move out."

As the Guardian went to press, police were still awaiting formal identification of the victim.

Police have arrested two men who are currently helping them with their inquiries. An incident room has opened at Shooters Hill under DCI

Richard Heselden of Serious Crime Group.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward. You should call the

Incident Room on 020-8284 9765; or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

December 28, 2001 09:30