A summary of today's developments
A man wanted in connection with a triple murder in a suspected crossbow attack was found in a North London cemetery on Wednesday with injuries after a major police manhunt.
Kyle Clifford, 26, who is understood to have served in the British army for about a year, was detained and taken to hospital after being found by officers in Enfield. Hertfordshire police said Clifford was receiving medical treatment, adding that no shots were fired.
Clifford was named as a suspect by Hertfordshire police after the deaths of Carol Hunt, 61, and her two daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, at a property in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday evening. They are the wife and daughters of BBC Racing radio commentator John Hunt.
At this stage, police believe the suspect was known to the victims and no one else is being sought in connection with the investigation. Ch Supt Jon Simpson from Hertfordshire police told reporters the suspected murders were believed to be “targeted”.
Tributes have been paid to three women killed in an “utterly devastating” crossbow attack. Su Kehinde, 60, who lives nearby, said: “They were the loveliest, gentlest family. They were the meekest human beings. They did not deserve this. “They were beautiful souls.”
Pupils at schools including St Michael’s Primary School in Enfield were kept inside as a precaution during the manhunt on Wednesday afternoon.
A friend of Louise Hunt said she was “always a positive person” and he could not think of “anything bad to say about her”.
He told BBC News: “I knew Louise back from school days and she was really sweet, very kind, always a positive person.
“I can’t think of anything bad to say about her – a really lovely person all round, a super hardworking person.
“It’s been a massive shock.”
A British Army veteran wanted in connection with the murder of three women in a suspected crossbow attack has been captured after being found with injuries, writes Jamie Grierson, Mabel Banfield-Nwachi and Vikram Dodd.
Kyle Clifford, 26, who is understood to have served in the British army for about a year, was named as a suspect by Hertfordshire police after the deaths of Carol Hunt, 61, and her two daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, at a property in Bushey.
Ch Supt Jon Simpson from Hertfordshire police told reporters earlier on Wednesday the suspected murders were believed to be targeted.
Later on Wednesday, a statement from Hertfordshire police said Clifford had been found in north London and received medical treatment for injuries. Police emphasised no shots were fired.
London Ambulance Service confirmed a man was treated at Lavender Hill Cemetery before being transported to a “major trauma centre”, which could be one of four hospitals in the capital.
A London Ambulance spokesperson said ambulance crews and the air ambulance attended an incident in Lavender Hill cemetery this afternoon.
They said a man was treated at the scene and later taken to a major trauma centre.
Updated
Tributes have been paid to three women killed in an “utterly devastating” crossbow attack.
Carol Hunt and her two daughters, beautician Hannah Hunt, 28, and dog groomer Louise Hunt, 25, were found injured at a home in Bushey, Hertfordshire on Tuesday and died shortly after at the scene.
It emerged on Wednesday that they were the family of John Hunt, the BBC racing commentator.
Glyn Nicholas, 77, retired, who has lived on the same road as the victims for 50 years, said: “They were a private family, all very nice, a private family. They all did their own things. Louise started a business a couple of years ago, and it was a thriving business – we all took our dogs there to be groomed.”
He added: “A very close-knit family and they used to love the street.”
As tearful residents around the scene in Ashlyn Close started to lay flowers, Hunt’s colleagues offered their love and thoughts.
A note sent to staff at BBC Radio 5 Live on Wednesday said the organisation would provide the commentator with “all the support we can”.
Sky News pictures appears to show Kyle Clifford being stretchered out of Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield after receiving medical treatment in the site, which is close to the suspect’s home.
Hertfordshire Police said it believes Kyle Clifford was known to the three victims.
Detective inspector Justine Jenkins from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “Following extensive enquiries, the suspect has been located and nobody else is being sought in connection with the investigation at this time.
“We have had an overwhelming number of calls and would like to express our gratitude to the members of the public who have contacted us.
“We would still appeal for anyone with information or footage to please contact police directly and refrain from commenting on social media as this could affect the progress of the case.
“We have set up an information portal where people can submit any information, photos or video footage which they feel could assist us with our investigation.
“This incident will of course be of concern to local residents. Additional local officers will be in the area today so please do speak to them if you need to.”
Updated
Triple murder suspect caught by police
A man accused of murdering three people with a crossbow has been caught by police and taken to hospital, police said.
Kyle Clifford, 26, was caught in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield by armed police and paramedics.
Police said the suspect was found this afternoon and is receiving medical treatment after being found with injuries. No shots were fired by officers.
It comes after a police manhunt after Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found seriously injured at a home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, at about 19:00 on Tuesday and later died at the scene.
Updated
On Christmas Day 2021, Jaswant Singh Chail, armed with a powerful crossbow, was detained close to Windsor Castle. Chail, encouraged by an AI chatbot, wanted to kill the late Queen but was stopped in his tracks and ultimately jailed for nine years.
In the wake of the incident, the then home secretary Priti Patel launched a review into crossbow controls. It was not until February earlier this year that the Home Office opened a call for evidence on a possible tightening of rules around the weapons.
The call for evidence closed in April but there has been no further progress towards changing the laws governing crossbows. As a result, there is currently no registration system for owning a crossbow and no requirement for a licence.
But under government guidance anyone who carries a crossbow in public without “reasonable excuse” faces up to four years behind bars.
After three women were found dead in Bushey, Hertfordshire, the new home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said she will “swiftly” consider findings of the review to see if the laws need to be tightened further.
Picture of the murder victims Hannah Hunt and Louise Hunt
Triple murder suspect is 'a British Army veteran'
A manhunt is under way after a mother and two daughters are believed to have been killed in a crossbow attack, triggering a massive search for the suspect – a 26-year-old British Army veteran, writes Vikram Dodd, Mabel Banfield-Nwachi and Jamie Grierson.
Police said they urgently wanted to trace Kyle Clifford, 26, after being called to a house in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday evening, where Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found injured. They died shortly after at the scene.
Sources have told the Guardian that Carol Hunt was found in the hallway of the house with a crossbow bolt in her chest, while evidence of ligatures were found near the victims. One of the victims is understood to have texted her partner, urging them to call the police.
Clifford is believed to have served in the British Army for a year, sources have told the Guardian.
People in Bushey have been invited to pray and light candles at two churches: Parish Church of St James on the High Street, and at St Paul’s on Bushey Hall Road.
The Parish of Bushey said in a Facebook post: “We also remember the perpetrator who committed this act, that he may come forward to the police.”
Glyn Nicholas, 77, who has lived on the same road as the victims for 50 years said: “I knew of them, I said ‘hello’ to them and all that.
“I know one of the daughters because she’s our dog groomer. All our daughters had their dogs groomed with Louise. She knew my wife, but the other daughter I didn’t know at all.
“The father I said ‘hello’ to a couple of times, he’s a racing commentator and he does work for the BBC. He sometimes does Olympics but was mainly employed by Sky, at the races or presenting at the studio.”
Nicholas added: “They were a private family, all very nice, a private family. They all did their own things. Louise started a business a couple of years ago, and it was a thriving business – we all took our dogs there to be groomed.
“They used to have a dog themselves and they used to be out and about walking their dog. I’d just say hello, never stopped and talked.
“A very close-knit family and they used to love the street. With his job they probably could have found a more salubrious house but they’d had a lot of work done on their house over the years. They had a groomer’s hut built for the dogs in the garden. I believe they had another daughter who lives away.”
Armed police officers and ambulance staff have swarmed a cemetery close to where a house was searched in Enfield, north London, the PA news agency reported.
The cemetery has been closed off and an air ambulance was seen nearby.
Footage posted on social media appeared to show emergency services rushing towards a cemetery in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, north London, as the manhunt for Kyle Clifford continued.
Armed police could also be seen in the video, but Hertfordshire Police said they were unable to confirm whether they had narrowed their search for the triple murder suspect to the area.
Updated
A resident in Rendlesham Road, Bushey, said around a dozen police officers searched a nearby house on Wednesday morning.
He said: “It was quite the shock seeing all the guns and dogs, the road went from quiet to manic out of nowhere.
“They were shouting ‘armed police’ and pointing their guns so it was clearly quite a serious matter.
“I don’t really know who lives there, I’ve never seen the guy the police are after.”
The colleagues of a BBC racing commentator have offered their love and thoughts after the crossbow murders of his wife and two daughters.
John Hunt, who has worked for BBC Radio 5 Live for around 20 years, was described as an “outstanding commentator and broadcaster” by those sending their sympathies.
A note sent to Hunt’s colleagues at BBC Radio 5 Live on Wednesday said the organisation would provide the commentator with “all the support we can”.
It read: “The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating.
“Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.”
BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght said: “There are no words.
“Like everyone else I feel numb and sick on John’s behalf at such incomprehensible evil.
“Everyone who knows John knows he is the absolute archetypal family man, so proud of them, so it’s impossible to know what he can be going through.
“But I know I’m speaking for the whole racing community and the whole wider sports media community as well, both of which he’s been part of for so long, when I say everyone is sending sympathy, love and support to him. It’s just awful.”
ITV and Sky Sports Racing commentator Matt Chapman said: “News like this is shocking enough but on a personal level even more so when it involves a friend and colleague you totally respect.
“There are no words here. Just the wish to let John know we love him and racing loves him. There are loads of us who he can talk to should he need or want to.
“John is an outstanding commentator and broadcaster – but he’s also just a lovely bloke.”
A statement from Sky Sports Racing read: “Everyone at Sky Sports Racing is deeply saddened by the tragic deaths in Hertfordshire and our thoughts are with our colleague John Hunt, his family and friends at this awful time.”
The two other victims in the triple murder are sisters Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, the BBC reported.
They were killed on Tuesday along with their mother Carol Hunt, 61, who is the wife of the BBC racing commentator John Hunt.
The couple also have a third daughter.
The Met is assisting Hertfordshire Police in their search for Kyle Clifford.
A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “Whilst we are asking the public to remain vigilant, people should go about their business as normal at this time. At this stage there is no explicit wider threat to members of the public and no children have been involved.”
We are assisting colleagues from Herts in their search for Kyle Clifford
— Enfield MPS (@MPSEnfield) July 10, 2024
A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “Whilst we are asking the public to remain vigilant, people should go about their business (cont) https://t.co/9z6J7EfQnE
Residents near the Bushey address where the three women died have started to lay flowers by the police cordon.
Some are tearful as they approach the scene.
Updated
The home secretary Yvette Cooper is urgently considering the findings of a Home Office review to see if tougher crossbow laws need to be introduced in the wake of the deaths of the wife and two daughters of racing commentator John Hunt, PA Media report.
A department spokeswoman said: “This is an appalling incident and the home secretary is being kept updated by the police.
“We keep legislation under constant review and a call for evidence was launched earlier this year to look at whether further controls on crossbows should be introduced.
“The home secretary will swiftly consider the findings to see if laws need to be tightened further.”
Updated
Enfield council has issued a statement to say that there is no perceived threat to the public in Enfield and that people should “carry on as normal”.
It said:
You will be aware of the news of the suspect Kyle Clifford from the Enfield area, wanted in relation to a triple murder in Bushey.
We have been advised by the Police that there is no perceived threat to the public so the guidance is to carry on as normal.
Local schools have been advised that end of day school procedures should continue as per usual.
There will be an enhanced police presence in the area and around some schools to provide reassurance to pupils and parents.
You will be aware of the news of the suspect Kyle Clifford from the Enfield area, wanted in relation to a triple murder in Bushey.
— Enfield Council (@EnfieldCouncil) July 10, 2024
We have been advised by the Police that there is no perceived threat to the public so the guidance is to carry on as normal. pic.twitter.com/UqSgR7Eu97
Police are searching for 26-year-old Kyle Clifford in connection with a triple murder in Bushey, Hertfordshire. He is believed to live in Enfield and police raided an address in the area earlier today.
Children at a primary school in Enfield have been kept indoors as police search for Kyle Clifford, who is suspected of having murdered Carol Hunt and two of her daughters in Bushey. Clifford is believed to live in Enfield, and armed police raided an address there earlier today.
Jade-Simone Bacon, headteacher of St Michael’s primary school in Brigadier Hill, Enfield, said pupils have not been allowed to go outside, but parents will be able to pick up their children at “the normal time” at the end of the school day.
She told the PA news agency:
We’ve locked both buildings and just kept the children inside. So we’ve not had them on the field or the playground. It’s not a lockdown as in under the desks or hidden or anything, it’s just a lighter lockdown.
We have just kept them within the building as though it were like a wet playday so we don’t cause the children any distress and we keep everything as calm as possible.
She said the police carried out a “reassurance visit” to the primary school earlier on Wednesday.
Police have warned the public not to approach Clifford, who they believe may be armed with a crossbow.
Sky Sports Racing has issued a statement, saying “Everyone at Sky Sports Racing is deeply saddened by the tragic deaths in Hertfordshire and our thoughts are with our colleague John Hunt, his family and friends at this awful time.”
As well as working for the BBC, Hunt also covers horse racing for broadcaster Sky. The BBC, in a memo to staff, has described the murder of Hunt’s wife and two of the couple’s daughters as “utterly devastating”.
Safia Karim, a neighbour of the murdered family, has told Sky News the events make her “fear for the safety of this country” and asked “are women safe?”
She said it had been difficult for neighbours to sleep last night because of the activity of the emergency services and how distressing the events were, adding:
To know that something as heinous as this could happen on your doorstep raises huge concern for the whole country. I just think if someone is able to freely walk around with a weapon, such as a crossbow, or even knives, just so easily accessible, it really begs the question, where is safety for the public? How can any of us feel safe going out in broad daylight? It was so light outside.
An internal note has gone out to BBC Radio 5 Live staff describing the murder of Carol Hunt and two of her daughters as “utterly devastating”. Hunt was married to BBC sports commentator John Hunt.
PA Media reports the note said “The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating. Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.”
This is an aerial view of the scene at Ashlyn Close in Bushey where Carol Hunt and two of her daughters were murdered.
Triple murder victims are family of BBC commentator, corporation says, as police search for suspect: what we know so far …
The BBC has confirmed that the victims of the triple murder in Bushey, Hertfordshire are Carol Hunt, 61, and two of her daughters. They were the family of the BBC racing commentator John Hunt
Police are hunting for a 26-year-old man, Kyle Clifford, who they have warned may be armed with a crossbow. He should not be approached
Officers found three women, aged 25, 28, and 61 at a house on Tuesday evening. Despite emergency services attending, including air ambulances, the three were pronounced dead at the scene
Police described it as a “targeted” attack, using a crossbow and possibly other weapons
At 8am on Wednesday Clifford’s home in Enfield, north London was raided by police
Local policing commander Jon Simpson made a direct appeal to Clifford to contact the police himself via 999
Police have also appealed to anyone who was in or around Ashlyn Close between lunchtime and 7pm on Tuesday to contact them if they believe they saw anything that could help their investigation
Det Supt Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, earlier said: “This is an incredibly difficult incident for the victims’ family and we would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with what has happened”
New home secretary Yvette Cooper has described the deaths as “truly shocking”, and said that she is being kept informed
Updated
The BBC has confirmed that the victims of the triple murder in Bushey, Hampshire are Carol Hunt, 61, and two of her daughters. They were the family of the BBC racing commentator John Hunt.
Victims of Bushey triple murder believed to be Carol Hunt and two daughters, the family of BBC racing commentator John Hunt
Those who died in a triple murder last night in Bushey are understood to be Carol Hunt and two of her daughters. The women are understood to be the family of the BBC’s racing radio commentator, John Hunt.
Police said they urgently wanted to trace Kyle Clifford, 26, after being called to a home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday evening. Police said a crossbow or other weapons may have been used in the attacks, and that he should not be approached, as he may still be armed.
Police are investigating what relationship any of the victims may have had to Clifford.
More details soon …
Updated
Here is a map showing the areas of interest to the police – Bushey where the murders took place, and Enfield where suspect Kyle Clifford lived.
Armed police have searched an address in Rendlesham Road, Enfield, as the manhunt for Kyle Clifford continues, PA Media reports.
The house, close to Gordon Hill railway station, was swarmed by officers on Wednesday morning, according to neighbours.
Two officers were stood outside the property at 1.30pm, after a cordon was removed.
One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said:
They kept going in and out of the property carrying guns, the whole road was taped off.
It was over quite quickly but there’s been helicopters flying around the area all day.
I don’t recognise the suspect at all, as far as I’m concerned he didn’t live in the house.
Updated
Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden whose constituency used to cover the area where the killings took place, said he was “working to provide support to the community at this difficult time”.
I am deeply concerned by the tragic reports of the murder of 3 women in Bushey yesterday evening.
— Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) July 10, 2024
I was briefed early this morning by the Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Police.
1/2
While I am no longer the Member of Parliament for this particular area following boundary changes, I am working to provide support to the community at this difficult time.
— Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) July 10, 2024
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims.
2/2
PA Media reports that Hertfordshire police and crime commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the women who have been shockingly killed in this terrible incident in Bushey.
“It will no doubt send shockwaves through the local community and across Hertfordshire.
“I am being kept updated by the police and I urge the public to support the police with any information about the whereabouts of the named suspect.”
Here is a fuller quote, via PA Media, from Ch Supt Jon Simpson, who told reporters the murders are believed to be “targeted”. He said:
Our overarching objective today is to protect public safety and to locate Kyle Clifford, who is wanted in connection with the murder of the three women in what we believe is a targeted incident.
We have extensive police resources deployed to various locations in north London and also the Bushey area.
The manhunt also involves armed police officers and specialist search teams responding at pace in the wake of what has been a horrific incident involving what is currently believed to be a crossbow, but other weapons may also have been used.
Kyle, if you are seeing or hearing this, please make contact with the police.
Updated
The key new details that emerged from that police press conference were that:
the ages of the victims, who are believed to be related, were given as 25, 28 and 61
the weapon used was believed to be a crossbow but “other weapons may also have been used”
police said they believed it was a targeted incident
police said their “overarching objective today is to protect public safety and to locate Kyle Clifford”
What we know so far …
It is 12.45pm. Here is what we know so far …
Police are seeking a 26-year-old man, Kyle Clifford, in connection with what they described as a triple murder which took place yesterday evening in Bushey in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire police say they were called to a home in Ashlyn Close in Bushey just before 7pm on Tuesday and discovered three women who had suffered serious injuries. The women are believed to be related and all three died at the scene. Police have not identified them, but have given their ages as 25, 28 and 61.
Police believe Clifford may be armed with a crossbow, and have warned the public not to approach him but to call 999 instead. They believe he may be in Hertfordshire or in Enfield in north London, where he lives. Neighbours have reported that his Enfield home was raided by armed officers at 8am Wednesday morning
Local policing commander Jon Simpson made a direct appeal to Clifford, to contact the police himself via 999. In a press conference at Hatfield police station he described the murders as “a horrific incident involving what is currently believed to be a crossbow, but other weapons may also have been used”
The police described it as a targeted incident
Police have also appealed to anyone who was in or around Ashlyn Close between lunchtime and 7pm on Tuesday to contact them if they believe they saw anything that could help their investigation
Det Supt Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, earlier said: “This is an incredibly difficult incident for the victims’ family and we would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with what has happened”
Police are carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the area and forensic officers are working at the scene
New home secretary Yvette Cooper has described the deaths as “truly shocking”, and said that she is being kept informed
Updated
It was local policing commander Jon Simpson who gave the press conference. He did not take questions from the media.
The police have made a direct appeal for Kyle Clifford to use 999 to contact them.
Police say other weapons may also have been used, not just a crossbow.
The ages of the victims have been given – aged 25, 28 and 61 and police say they believe it was a targeted incident.
Police are beginning a press conference at Hatfield police station.
We are expecting police to give a press conference at 12.30. We will bring you the key lines that emerge. You can watch it here …
PA Media has spoken to another local resident, a 46-year-old who did not want to give their name. They told the news agency:
It was between 6.30pm and 7pm last night and it literally just sounded like kids, somebody, screaming, and then it was more shrill and I was like, “that’s definitely a woman screaming”, and within 15 minutes, it was absolute chaos.
We had armed police running down, screaming “stay in your house” … they shut us off and basically put us into lockdown.
It’s really, really stressful now to think that that happened in such a close vicinity and none of us were aware and none of us could help. It’s just absolutely traumatic, I think, for the family involved, for everyone.
I think that’s the stressful thing, that it happened at peak family time between 6pm and 7pm, when people were probably cooking for their kids and getting their kids ready for bed, and all of us in a tight little road, completely unaware of the trauma and tragic circumstances that other people were going through at that particular time.
Reporting for LBC, Charlotte Lynch has said that neighbours have told her that Kyle Clifford’s home in Enfield was raided by armed police at 8am this morning. Police helicopters have been aiding the operation locally in north London.
NEW: Kyle Clifford’s home on Rendlesham Road in Enfield was raided by armed police around 8am, neighbours have told me. He wasn’t there and manhunt is still on.
— Charlotte Lynch (@charlotterlynch) July 10, 2024
One neighbour said she’d be “surprised if he did it, they’re a good family”. Cops still here @LBC https://t.co/crIeYxLshZ pic.twitter.com/H0ksW1I5ZB
Neighbourhood police teams are currently going door-to-door in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, speaking to residents to try to gather any information on what happened last night leading up to the discovery of the three women. Emergency services, including air ambulances, turned up at the scene at about 7pm. Forensic officers are also at work at the scene of what police have described as a triple murder.
We are expecting police to give a press conference within the hour.
A resident living near the scene of the triple murder has told Sky News that suddenly last night there was a large number of police cars in the street, and that some of the officers were armed. He said that at first he thought it must have been a terrorism incident. Derek Turner told viewers
It was like an explosion in the street of police cars and ambulances. I would say in just this little bit here there were at least ten police cars. And we didn’t know what was going on. We didn’t have a clue. And suddenly there were police outside in black uniforms with semi-automatic guns walking around. So I initially thought it might be terrorists or something.
But that’s all I can say. It’s all been blocked off. It’s been a bit of a shock because it’s a really residential area. Nothing much ever goes on around here at all apart from people going back and forwards to work.
Updated
Our crime correspondent Vikram Dodd reports that police have confimred to the Guardian that the man police are seeking, Kyle Clifford, “may be in possession of a crossbow”.
He says a major and urgent part of the police investigation is how the three women received their fatal injuries.
Read more here from Vikram Dodd: Police search for man after three women killed in Bushey
Local councillor Laurence Brass has spoken to the BBC, saying that the area near the triple murder is “a typical leafy British suburb”.
He said:
At about eight o’clock last night, I was watching the football on television, and suddenly a helicopter landed in the lawn outside my flat, which is at the top of this road, and then my phone started going, and I was told that there was a major incident here in Bushey and we should all keep away because there was somebody apparently on the run.
[It’s a] terrible shock and our sympathies and prayers and thoughts are with the families of the three women. That really is a terrible thing to happen to anybody, and I’ve gathered they’re all from the same family, which obviously makes it even more tragic, and we’ll do everything we can as the local council to add our source of comfort where we can.
New home secretary Yvette Cooper has issued a statement on social media about the murders, saying:
The loss of three women’s lives in Bushey last night is truly shocking. My thoughts are with the family & friends of those who have been killed & with the community. I am being kept fully updated. I urge people to support Hertfordshire police with any information about this case.
The loss of three women’s lives in Bushey last night is truly shocking. My thoughts are with the family & friends of those who have been killed & with the community.
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) July 10, 2024
I am being kept fully updated. I urge people to support @HertsPolice with any information about this case.
Here are a couple of images of the scene in Bushey where three women have been murdered. They were discovered injured last night but attempts to save their lives were unsuccessful. Police are searching for a 26-year-old man, Kyle Clifford, in connection with the murders. They have warned the public that he might be in Hertfordshire or Enfield, and that he should not be approached as he may be armed with a crossbow.
Local councillors for the North Bushey area have told PA Media they were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the news of the deaths.
Louise Nicolas, Alan Matthews and Paul Richards said:
We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news that three women have lost their lives in a violent incident which took place in the heart of our local community. As North Bushey councillors, we extend our thoughts and condolences to their families and all those affected. We would encourage anyone who has information relevant to the inquiry to contact police.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she did not know the victims well but they were a friendly family.
“We would see them every day passing by and they would say good morning,” she said. “It’s really sad what’s happened, very shocking.”
An East of England ambulance service spokesperson has confirmed that air ambulances were dispatched as part of the attempts to save the lives of the three women murdered in Bushey.
They said:
Three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle, the Hazardous Area Response Team, the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance and London Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. Sadly, despite the team’s best efforts, three women were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police warn suspect may be armed with a crossbow
Hertfordshire police have warned that the man they are seeking, Kyle Clifford, may be in possession of a crossbow, and have emphasised that if people see him he should not be approached.
Updated
Police warn public not to approach Clifford and make appeal for witnesses
Hertfordshire police have issued the following statement about the man they are seeking in connection with what they have described as a triple murder.
Police were called to a property in Ashlyn Close just before 7pm. Officers attended alongside colleagues from the East of England Ambulance Service and on arrival, found three women with serious injuries. Sadly, despite their best efforts, the women, who are believed to be related, died a short time later at the scene.
Police have since been searching throughout the night for 26-year-old Kyle Clifford from the Enfield area who is wanted in connection with the incident.
The statement goes on to quote Det Supt Rob Hall, who said:
This is an incredibly difficult incident for the victims’ family and we would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with what has happened.
Whilst we are still in the early stages of this investigation, we are actively seeking Kyle Clifford who we believe could be in the areas of Hertfordshire or North London.
Given the serious nature of the incident, I would ask anyone who knows where he is to contact police immediately. If you believe you see him, please do not approach him and dial 999 straight away. He may still be in possession of a weapon.
Our enquires will continue over the coming days to ascertain the full circumstances of what happened but I would also like to take this opportunity appeal to anyone who was in the area around Ashlyn Close from around lunchtime on Tuesday until 7pm, and believes they may have seen anything that could assist the investigation, to contact us.
Updated
What we know so far …
Police have launched a search for a man who is wanted in connection with the deaths of three women in Bushey, Hertfordshire police said
Police have been searching throughout the night for 26-year-old Kyle Clifford from the Enfield area, who is wanted in connection with the incidents
The police said they believe he could be in the areas of Hertfordshire or north London, and that he should not be approached. They believe he may still be in possession of a weapon
They have appealed for anyone who was in the area around Ashlyn Close from around lunchtime on Tuesday until 7pm and believes they may have seen anything that could assist the investigation, to contact them
Details of the victims identities have not been revealed
Updated
