Harrow Council's leader says murder victim Alison Morrison was “passionately committed to creating a safer Harrow”.

The tribute from Councillor David Perry is the latest to be paid to the 45-year-old, who was vice chairman of the Harrow Safer Neighbourhood Board.

Mrs Morrison was stabbed in Alexandra Avenue, Rayners Lane yesterday morning and died later in hospital.

Cllr Perry said: “Alison Morrison was passionately committed to creating a safer Harrow through her work with the Harrow Safer Neighbourhood Board and as a community champion, and it is terrible news that she has lost her life in this violent way in a borough she cared so much about.

“Alison’s colleagues on the Safer Neighbourhood Board are absolutely shattered by this news as are the staff of Harrow Council. Alison was a key member of the board and a tireless advocate of its work.

“We will do whatever we can to help the police. In the meantime, our thoughts are with Alison’s family.”

Speaking to the press, Harrow borough commander Chief Superintendent Simon Ovens said: “Alison was an amazing supporter of the community and of police in Harrow.

“I want to share my deepest condolences to Alison’s family from the whole of the Metropolitan police in this borough.

“I also want to pay tribute to my officers, who first attended the scene and their valiant efforts trying to save Alison’s life.

“I have since spoken to those two young officers and was moved at their account of how they helped her at the scene.

“I have lost a personal friend and we have lost a great friend of the borough and the community of Harrow.”

Chief Inspector Matt Bonner of the Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command revealed a knife had been found at the scene.

A 48-year-old man was arrested in Lincolnshire on suspicion of murder yesterday and remains in custody at a north London police station.