Man arrested after death of 11-year-old Bushey girl

A 52-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of an 11-year-old girl from Bushey. The victim is Rebecca Thompson and she was found at her home address in Homefield Road just after mid-day Saturday June 22. A major crime investigation led by the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit is now underway. A post-mortem is due to be conducted on Tuesday by a Home Office Pathologist. The immediate scene around the property has been sealed off as detectives and specialist teams gather evidence and undertake inquiries. The arrested man also from Bushey remains in police custody at a hospital where he is being treated for serious injuries sustained in a road accident which happened around 00:15am on Saturday (June 22) at Elstree Hill roundabout. The vehicle involved was a grey VW Golf registration number OV61 NVK and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who either witnessed the collision or saw the vehicle prior to the crash taking place. The arrested man will be interviewed in due course once he has been deemed fit by medical staff. Detective Inspector John Arthur, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit based at Hertfordshire Constabulary HQ, Welwyn Garden City is leading the investigation. He said: “The death of a child is always tragic and understandably many people will be devastated and concerned by what has happened. Our thoughts are with Rebecca’s family and friends at this terrible time. “Detectives and specialist teams investigating the circumstances surrounding Rebecca’s death are working to get a better understanding of the facts in this tragic case. I have two key appeals to make from the public – Did you see the VW Golf which would have been driven at high speed just prior to the crash at the Elstree Hill roundabout in the early hours of Saturday morning? This is a very important element to this investigation “I am also very keen to hear from anyone who saw, or knows where Rebecca had been during Friday 21st June. Who was she with? Where was she and what time? Anyone with information is urged to contact either 101 or the incident room directly on 01707 355666. John added: “This tragedy comes in the wake of two deaths of local teenagers in a short time and we have in place additional patrols and resources in the area to support the community and these will remain in place for as long as necessary.”