The Met Police today (January 2) announced a homicide investigation into the death of a man found critically injured in Surbiton last month.

Surbiton resident Lee Styles, 39, was found suffering serious injuries in Fishponds Park shortly before 3pm on Wednesday, December 18.

Police and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended and Styles was taken to hospital with head injuries.

He was pronounced dead on the afternoon of Thursday, December 19.

The Met said the Surbiton man's next of kin have been informed.

A post-mortem examination took place on December 23.

It gave the cause of death as head injuries.

On Thursday January 2, the Met revealed that the case had been taken up by city police homicide detectives.

Homicide detectives from Specialist Crime officially took on the investigation on 27 December, the Met said.

They are being led by Detective Chief Inspector Justin Howick.

DCI Howick urged members of the public who might know something about what happened to come forward.

"We are piecing together the circumstances surrounding Lee’s death but believe he was assaulted," he said.

"I would appeal to anyone who may have any information to assist us.

“If you were in the vicinity of Fishponds Park during the afternoon of Wednesday, 18 December, or perhaps you saw Lee around the area, then please call us.

“This was around two weeks ago so I ask all local residents and users of the park to think back to that date.

"Even a sighting of Lee or anything suspicious around that time could help us piece together what happened," DCI Howick added.

Two people — an18-year-old man [A] and a 41-year-old man [B] — have been arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail to return on a date in January.

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers via the incident room 020 8785 8244 quoting reference Cad 4492/18Dec.

To remain 100 per cent anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.