A SMALL community is facing up to the fact that the murderer who killed one of their neighbours is still at large one year on.

Last week police released without charge the only two men arrested for the killing of Clive Enkel who was murdered in his home at Alderwood Close in Abridge.

Mr Enkel, 53, who lived at the terraced house with his elderly father, was found by police with serious head injuries following what a police spokesman described as "a burglary" at his home on September 25.

They believed that Mr Enkel was savagely beaten as he tried to protect his father, who was 90 at the time.

He never regained consciousness and died at Queens Hospital, in Romford, two days later.

Neighbour Theresa Sprules, 75, said the general feeling amongst neighbours was sympathy for Mr Enkel’s father.

She said: “It’s very sad. It was such a shocking thing and people were concerned for a bit that it might not be safe here, but we’re very lucky to live in what is normally a quiet, friendly community.

“It was a completely random, one-off terrible occurrence and I think the majority of us just feel great sympathy for his family.”

Her sentiments were echoed by parish Councillor John Filby, who lives nearby.

He said: “Most people feel some disappointment, they appreciate that it was a random killing.

“Everyone was so shocked and horrified when it happened and I think most people feel disappointed that the animals that did this are still free.

"Hopefully one day someone will be brought to justice.”