Three men have been arrested this morning in connection with a car jacking which left an Ilford man dead.

Police officers found Harjinder Singh Bhurji suffering from a chest wound at 1.01am yesterday after he was stabbed by a masked knifeman in Stoneleigh Road, Clayhall.

Three suspects, a 20-year-old, a 19-year-old and 17-year-old are being held on suspicion of murder.

It is believed Mr Bhurji, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had been talking with a female friend in his black Mercedes when a man appeared, opened the passenger door and dragged her out.

The suspect then went to the driver’s door and demanded the keys to the CLK coupe, registration number R4 JXW.

Mr Bhurji tried to hide them under his seat but the suspect threatened to harm the woman if he did not hand them over.

However, before he had time to retrieve them, he was stabbed.

Despite his injury Mr Bhurji gave the keys to the man who then drove off and the car was found abandoned at 2.45am in Forest Glade, Chingford.

The incident happened outside Oleastor Retirement Block near the entrance gate of St John Vianney Catholic Church, according to residents.

One elderly woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I heard voices at about 4.30am and woke up.

“I looked out of my window and saw the road had been blocked off with tape which was attached to a tree outside the church entrance gate.

“There was lots of stuff strewn across the road and a policeman was talking on his mobile.

“To hear of this makes me feel very scared and it has got to the stage where my husband and I are scared to go out. “

Another resident, who also did not want to be named, said he was awoken by blue flashing lights in his bedroom at about 1.30am.

“It’s not unusual to see an ambulance because of the elderly people living here but when I looked out of the window there was a whole load of police.”

Police said the suspect was black, about 6ft 2in, of slim build and wearing a grey beanie hat, grey hoodie and dark coloured bandana.

Anyone with information should contact 020 8345 1570 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.