Man killed confronting moped thieves outside his home Published duration 14 September 2016

image copyright PA image caption Ricky Hayden (left) worked as a security guard at the wedding of Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy in 2011

A man has been stabbed to death while trying to stop a group of people from stealing a moped outside his home.

Ricky Hayden, 27, and his father Paul were attacked when they confronted the four men in Chadwell Heath, east London, at 01:35 BST on Tuesday.

The pair both suffered knife wounds in the attack on Gibbfield Close and the son later died in hospital.

Detectives said two males had been arrested on Wednesday morning on suspicion of murder.

image copyright PA image caption Neighbours have been laying tributes outside the family's home

image copyright Met Police image caption Ricky Hayden worked as a doorman at Kosho bar in Romford where he was described as the "happiest, funniest guy"

Mr Hayden had worked as a security guard for celebrities, including at the wedding of Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy, according to neighbours

His 46-year-old father remains in hospital, although his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Neighbour Bella Tasci, 34, heard screams as the men were stabbed in the altercation before the thieves left without the moped.

She said they were a "lovely" family and Mr Hayden had built the bike himself with his younger brother Perry.

media caption Darren Gates, a friend of Ricky Hayward, described him as "irreplaceable"

She added the thieves also slashed the family dog, Roxy, in the attack.

Miss Tasci said a gang calling themselves the "Hainault boys" had been "hanging around the area" in recent weeks and that her son, 14, was now scared to walk back from school alone.

image copyright PA image caption Mr Hayden's sister April read the tributes on flowers left outside the house

image copyright PA image caption Messages of condolence have been left at the scene

Havering Council paid tribute to Mr Hayden, who was also a member of the highways maintenance team.

Andrew Blake-Herbert, chief executive of the council, said: "Everyone at the council is devastated by the news of this horrendous, senseless crime.

"Our condolences and thoughts are with Ricky's family and friends, our prayers are also with his father who remains in hospital.

'It's absolutely heartbreaking'

"Ricky was a well-liked team member and of course we will be offering support to his friends and colleagues in the council who will be feeling this loss very deeply."

Laying flowers in tribute, Suzanne Hardy, who worked with Mr Hayden's mother at a primary school, said you "couldn't get a better family".

"It's heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking," she said.

image copyright PA image caption Neighbour Tracy Aubrey described Mr Hayden as "the nicest boy you could ever meet"

image copyright PA image caption Part of Gibbfield Close has been cordoned off by police

Det Ch Insp Andrew Packer said: "Gibbfield Close is a residential street and while there would not have been many people out and about at the time of this attack, it was a warm night and people would have had their windows open.

"I am appealing to anyone who heard, or subsequently saw, anything suspicious to come forward and speak to police."