A north London rabbi has raised more than £5,000 to support the family of a shop worker who was killed after refusing to sell cigarette papers to three youths.

Vijay Patel, a 49-year-old father-of-two, was working in a grocery store in Mill Hill Broadway, North-West London, last Saturday, when he was attacked and suffered a single blow to the head

Mr Patel, from Colindale, died from his injuries in hospital on Monday afternoon.

The Metropolitan Police said a 16-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A JustGiving page set up on Tuesday morning by Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet, the minister of Mill Hill Synagogue, had raised £5,714 for Mr Patel’s family by 4.15pm.

Rabbi Schochet wrote on the crowdfunding site: “As the Mill Hill Jewish community it is appropriate that we demonstrate compassion for something so tragic that happened in our immediate neighbourhood.”

The page’s initial target sum was £1,000.

Donors left messages of support on the JustGiving page. One wrote: “Wishing the families all our community’s support during this tragic and difficult time.”

Another said: “A kind and friendly man, who was such a constant part of life on The Broadway. Blessings and strength to his family.”

Donations to Mr Patel’s family can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/yitzchak-schochet