A BARKING MAN was stabbed to death as he tried to foil two thugs mugging a woman. Sukhwinder Singh, 31, chased two men on Friday evening as they mugged a 28-year-old woman and stole her handbag as she walked home from Barking Station. She was attacked in

A BARKING MAN was stabbed to death as he tried to foil two thugs mugging a woman.

Sukhwinder Singh, 31, chased two men on Friday evening as they mugged a 28-year-old woman and stole her handbag as she walked home from Barking Station. She was attacked in Loxford Road.

Mr Singh chased the two suspects along Victoria Road into Uphall Road where was attacked by the men suffering stab wounds.

The victim was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Police appealed for help on Saturday particularly from witnesses who could tell them in which direction the suspects took as they fled from Uphall Road.

They were described as two black males (one possibly dark skinned), both aged 20's to 30's, and both approx. 5 foot 7 inches to 6 feet tall.

Detective Inspector John Sandlin, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command: "This is a tragic death of a man who was killed for attempting to stop others committing crime and our thoughts are with Sukhwinder's family. However, I would also like to reassure the wider community that tragic events such as these are rare.

"I am appealing for anyone that knows who committed this crime, or who has any information about those who committed this crime, to do the right thing and come forward and contact police.

"My officers are also keen to hear from anybody who witnessed the initial robbery, the actual altercation that led to the stabbing and additionally anyone who may have seen any persons matching the suspects' description fleeing the Uphall Road area.

"It is also possible that the suspects may have abandoned the bag stolen and I appeal to anyone who may find a brown leather shoulder bag, to contact police. It may be that it has significant clues that could help solve this awful crime."

Any witnesses or anyone with any information that can assist police are asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3715 or Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

There have been no arrests at present.

See updated news on this POST site and full story in the POST newspaper published on Wednesday.