Detectives have launched a hunt for a man who may be armed with a crossbow after three women were killed in an £800,000 detached house in Bushey.
Neighbours expressed their shock today (Wednesday, June 10) following the incident in Ashley Close as the police named the man they wanted to speak to as 26-year-old Kyle Clifford from the Enfield area.
Police, an ambulance crew and ground ambulances rushed to the four-bed house in Ashlyn Close just before 7pm yesterday (Tuesday, June 9).
Three women were found with serious injuries. The women, who are believed to be related, died a short time later at the scene.
Police have since been searching day and night for Clifford. Officers have said he may be in possession of a crossbow. Anyone who spots him should call 999 immediately and should not approach him.
This morning, the small close was cordoned off while scenes of crime officers carried out a forensic examination.
Derek Turner, 73, said: “It is always a very quiet area here. Nothing ever goes on here. It is very, very peaceful. It is so unusual for this area. I have lived here a long time.
“It happened all of a sudden. The whole place went crackers. The were police cars everywhere, armed police in black uniforms with semi-automatic guns. I thought it was a terrorist thing.
“They locked off the street and have stopped anyone getting through.”
Mr Turner said that although the road is a close, there are two other entrances and exits – one an alleyway and another through a car park at block of flats – where the suspect could escape on foot.
Another neighbour, who gave his name as Riaz, said: “They are a middle-class family. It is tragic and horrifying.
“There was a lot of activity from the police and ambulance last night – there were over a dozen cars. There was an air ambulance. The road was closed way past midnight. There is no access into the road.
“It is a decent neighbourhood. It is mostly retired people and professionals living here.”
Local county councillor Laurence Brass said: “I represent this area. I was canvassing here last week in the general election. This is a very suburban middle-class area.
“It is very concerning. It is so out of context for this area. “
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, 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.
“This incident will of course be of concern to local residents. Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be in the area today so please do speak to them if you need to.”
You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via the online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting Op Infauna.
Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org
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