A seven-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy have died in a suspected double murder in Stoke-on-Trent, police have said.
A 49-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder after officers found the two children with “significant” injuries at a home on Flax Street on Sunday, Staffordshire Police said.
It came after officers were called to a car wash in Campbell Road at 2.04pm to reports a man had been stabbed.
He was taken to hospital by paramedics and has since been released.
Officers then went to a home on Flax Street and found two people unresponsive and injured inside as they went to arrest the suspect.
Despite the efforts of paramedics, both children, who have not been named, died at the scene.
The force said it has made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to recent police contact.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody.
The victims’ next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hannan, of Staffordshire Police, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the children.
“I cannot imagine the pain and shock they are feeling.
“We also understand the concern felt locally around this incident and the speculation around what has happened.
“We can now confirm that the two people who lost their lives are an 11-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl.
“Our priority was to inform the family before confirming the ages of the children. They are currently being supported by specially trained officers.
“The woman arrested is known to the children. We don’t believe there to be any wider threat to the public at this time.
“Our focus remains on finding out more about what happened yesterday and supporting the family at this deeply distressing and tragic time.”
Anyone with any information that could help with the police investigation is asked to get in touch as soon as possible.
Detectives have appealed for CCTV or dashcam footage from the area of Flax Street and Campbell Road between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Sunday, and to hear from those who were in the area at the time.
