Police warned the council CCTV and lighting was needed in a town centre car park, up to a year before a murder investigation was launched there following a 40-man axe fight.

The Holborn Way area in Mitcham town centre is the target of a specialist murder squad police investigation after Neel Croos, also known as Adhavan Thanabalafingham, died on Wednesday from head injuries.

Officers told Merton Council the area was not covered by CCTV months ago and asked for safety to be reviewed but cameras and lighting were never installed.

Unconfirmed reports have suggested there were between 30 and 40 men of Tamil origin involved in the armed brawl, which police have confirmed involved multiple axes and a sword.

The victim, Mr Croos, suffered severe head injuries in the Sibthorpe Road Car Park, Holborn Way, on Monday, November 23.

He died in hospital on the morning of Wednesday, November 25.

Prashad Sothilingham, of Edghill Road, Mitcham, was charged on Saturday with murder, attempted murder of 29-year-old Jeyathpan Ganesalingham, as well as possession of an axe and threatening unlawful violence.

Neighbours paid tribute to Mr Croos and said the area is very dark, and CCTV cameras would make it safer for people walking along the road.

One man, who did not want to be named, arrived at the car park shortly after the fight and knew Mr Croos personally.

He said: "There were so many police everywhere. They were looking for weapons for two days here.

"They are good people. Nice people. It’s very sad. I feel really sorry for all of them."

Speaking of Mr Croos, the man said: "He was a good man. I don’t know what they did to the guys that attacked them. I don’t know what the reason was, but it’s so sad.

"They had only been living here a couple of months, so we made the time to get to know them.

"They are good people. They didn’t cause harm to anyone.

"There’s no CCTV here, that’s how this happens."

Scott Taylor, 21, who lives nearby in Sadler Close, and also arrived at the car park shortly after the police.

He said: "It always happens in Mitcham. There’s always a shooting or stabbing.

"I came back to all the police tape around the whole thing, but I wasn’t shocked to be honest. Not round here."

He added: "There should definitely be more lights and CCTV. For a start, there are only three lights in that car park and they all just light up the road, and get blocked by trees.

"It’s so dark, it’s no wonder it always happens."

A spokesperson for Merton Council said: "News of this fight and the tragic outcome is terrible and such violent fights are thankfully rare in Merton.

"We work closely with the police making Merton one of the safest boroughs in London, and are investing £600,000 in CCTV over the coming year across the borough, which will provide improved images and therefore increase our ability to help police respond to any trouble on the streets.

"We are also investing in borough-wide improved street lighting."

The council added that the fight happened in a lit area, and that the council had to be careful where it installs lighting to make sure it does not attract anti-social behaviour.

Speaking on Friday, November 27, leader of Merton Council Stephen Alambritis said: "We are continuing to invest in street lighting.

"We are giving our reassurance to residents that everything is being done to catch the culprits, and police are investigating as we speak."

A 29-year-old man and a 26-year-old man remain in hospital with serious injuries.

A 21-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday, November 24, on suspicion of attempted murder.

Five other men aged 34, 21, 37, 40 and 27 were arrested on Monday, November 23, on suspicion of violent disorder. All have been bailed.

Detectives asked anyone with information about the fight to call 020 8721 4205, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.