Police are appealing for witnesses to the murder of a man in an Acton churchyard on Thursday night.

Detectives from the Specialist Crime Directorate believe the murder victim, 43-year-old Zbieniew Forys, was assaulted in St Mary’s Burial Ground, Churchfield Road, Acton, W3, some time between 5pm and 9pm on Thursday 30/6/05.

Officers believe he may have been assaulted by a number of people and possibly on more than one occasion during that evening. The victim was wearing a distinctive, very bright red top, which may well have been noticed by passers by.

A member of the public found Mr Forys, badly injured in the churchyard on Friday morning at around 6.30 in the morning. He was taken by ambulance to Charing Cross Hospital where he died the next day.

The victim was identified as Polish national Zbieniew Forys, also known as Ziggy - of no fixed abode. A post-mortem gave cause of death as severe head injuries.

Detective Inspector Ian Foster said: "This was a violent assault which has led to the death of a man. It is made all the more tragic that the victim may have lain badly injured where he fell for several hours before anyone found him. During that night lots of people will have passed the scene and some of them may have seen something that could help us identify this man's assailants. We would urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible."

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Churchfield Road, W3, on the evening of Thursday 30/6/05 or early on Friday 1/7/05 who may have witnessed the assault to contact them on 020 8358 0200. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Two men and one female were arrested on 2/7/05 and bailed to return at the beginning of August while enquiries are ongoing. The second man is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital before police are able to interview him. Two further men and a women were arrested on 3/7/05 and remain in custody at a North London police station.