Appeal for information after Arts Club chef attacked in London

Police are appealing for information after a chef was attacked in the vicinity of Notting Hill Carnival on Monday night.

Swedish national Mussie Imnetu was found unconscious with a head injury in Queensway, W2, at 11:22pm on Monday night.

The 41-year-old is head chef at the Arts Club private members’ club and restaurant in Dubai and has worked under chefs including Marcus Wareing, Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse, according to the club’s website.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody at a south London police station.

Detectives are appealing for more information from the public about Imnetu’s movements on Monday night.

He left the Arts Club on Dover Street, the London sister site to his Dubai workplace, shortly after 1pm on Monday.

Imnetu was alone, wearing a blue t-shirt and black jeans, and he later bought a white baseball cap.

He arrived alone at Dr Power restaurant in Queensway at around 10:30pm.

The restaurant was serving food from stalls outside and playing music, with the venue and surrounding area “extremely busy” with people who had been to carnival, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Detective chief inspector Brian Howie, leading the investigation from the Met’s homicide command, said: “While the arrest of a suspect is a significant step in our investigation, we are still very keen to hear from anyone who can help piece together Mussie’s movements between when he left the Arts Club at 1pm and when he arrived at Dr Power restaurant at 10:30pm.

“If you visited the restaurant between 10pm and 11:30pm on Monday night or were in the area and saw something, regardless of the reason you were there, please do get in touch.

“Our focus is on what happened to Mussie. Did you speak with him at the restaurant or do you have any images or videos between these times that could assist the investigation? The attack happened around 11:20pm. Customers at the venue tried to help stop the attack, we need to speak with these people and I urge them to contact us.

“We are releasing Mussie’s name and two photos of him - one showing him on the day of the attack - in the hope that it triggers someone’s memory and prompts them to come forward."

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, message @MetCC on X or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, giving the reference 8020/26AUG.

Information can also be provided online, by visiting the dedicated appeal page.