A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a man in a street fight. The killing is being treated as racially motivated.

Police called to Gayton Road, Harrow, at 1.11am on Wednesday last week found Farhan Mohomoud Mire, 32, of Kenton, lying on the ground covered in blood.

He was taken to Northwick Park Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead on arrival. A post mortem revealed he had died of serious head injuries which doctors believe were inflicted by several powerful kicks.

Witnesses say there had been an argument between Mr Mire and a woman, who shouted for help. A man stepped in to confront Mr Mire and a fight broke out.

Inquiries have been taken over from Harrow police by the major investigations team, but the case is being closely monitored by the borough's divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Bob Aitchison.

Although no motive has been established, Mr Aitchison has classified the case as a racial incident because one witness suggested that racism played a part in the fight. The decision was also influenced by the fact that the suspect was white and the victim was black, as well as the severity of the injuries.

A police spokeswoman said the investigating team was anxious to speak to the woman involved, who is not being treated as a prime suspect.

"We are also very keen to hear from anyone who saw a man with bloodstains on the lower part of his body around Harrow that morning," she said. "We are keeping an open mind regarding the motives behind this killing."

The attacker has been described as a stocky white man aged between 28 and 33, 5ft10, with short brown hair in a "number one" crewcut style. He was clean shaven and wore a thigh-length, light-coloured jacket.

The woman was 5ft8, olive skinned and spoke in broken English. Also aged between 28 and 33, she had black or dark brown, shoulder-length hair and wore a knee-length coat.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Inspector Julian Headon on 0181 358 1826 or 358 1857.

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