The family of a man who was killed by his neighbour in east London say he was “failed by London”, criticising what they describe as a lack of action by police and the local council to protect him.
Raish Ahmed, 50, was repeatedly stabbed outside his block of flats in Canning Town in October last year by his neighbour, Daniel Whybrow, 46, after a dispute over the communal door being left open. Whybrow was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court last week to life with a minimum term of 24 years after being convicted of murder and causing grievous bodily harm.
Family members and neighbours told BBC London they had complained for months about Whybrow’s aggressive and anti-social behaviour and that service providers had not done enough. A neighbour, Mohammad Hasan, described Ahmed as “a wonderful person”, a devoted father who juggled two jobs and cared for his wife. Ahmed and his family moved into the Hartingdon Road block in 2020 after arriving in the UK from Bangladesh in 2015.
Hasan said residents repeatedly reported disturbances, including loud music and confrontations, and that the council had issued warnings to the occupant. In letters seen by BBC London, the council told Hasan in April 2024 that the occupant had been given a warning, issued with a tenancy breach order and was being monitored; a subsequent letter in May reassured Ahmed’s family that the council would write to the occupant to address “unacceptable behaviour.” Neighbours say the problems persisted and further complaints followed.
Court testimony from the trial described a confrontation on 5 October in which Whybrow had pinned the communal door open while working on a bicycle. Ahmed had closed the door because it was meant to remain shut for safety, and the row escalated, Hasan said. The trial heard that Whybrow reached through a kitchen window to grab a knife. Ahmed either slipped or fell after being struck in the face and was then repeatedly stabbed while on the ground. A 16-year-old boy who tried to intervene was injured.
Hasan and others said Ahmed called 999 fearing for his safety during an earlier threat but that police did not arrive and did not take that call seriously. Whybrow was arrested at his flat after the stabbing and, according to the court, remained aggressive and used racist language toward two Asian police officers during the arrest.
Ahmed was taken to hospital after being stabbed in the chest and thigh and died two days later with family and friends at his bedside. His wife, Jannatul Mauwa, said in a statement that the family had been left “broken” and accused the police and council of ignoring warnings. "My husband should still be alive. He was murdered by a knife — but he was failed by London," she said.
At trial, Whybrow was convicted of murder and causing grievous bodily harm but was acquitted of racially aggravated assault and threats to kill. Sentencing Judge Murray Shanks said Whybrow had behaved in an “extremely territorial and aggressive way” and, while he could not conclude the attack was racially motivated, he had displayed “racial hostility.” The court was told Whybrow had prior convictions for threatening behaviour and possessing a weapon and that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after a fatal fire at a block of flats.
Local community groups held a walk of solidarity after Ahmed’s death, calling for changes to how anti-social behaviour and racially motivated hostility are addressed. Representatives from the Darul Arqam Masjid and Muslim Community Centre said there had been “no meaningful improvement” in residents’ sense of safety almost a year after the attack and that many still felt unsupported.
Neighbours said the incident has left the community traumatised and that Ahmed’s family have been unable to return to their home, instead staying in a hotel. Hasan said residents believed more decisive action could have prevented the killing, suggesting the tenant could have been relocated or more robust sanctions applied earlier.
A Newham Council spokesperson said the authority takes all complaints “extremely seriously” and is committed to providing clear guidance and support to residents. "The tragic loss of Mr Ahmed has undoubtedly caused deep distress and concern within the community, and our thoughts are with everyone affected," the spokesperson said, adding that the council would continue to provide support to those affected. The Metropolitan Police were contacted for comment.
The sentencing concludes the criminal proceedings against Whybrow; the family and community continue to press for reviews of how complaints about anti-social behaviour and safety were handled in the months before the fatal attack.
