Three women dead with fears murder suspect is armed with a crossbow as police surround street

Police are currently surrounding an area after three women were killed with fears the suspect is on the run armed with a crossbow.

Kyle Clifford is wanted over the deaths of three women who were found fatally injured in a house in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire, just after 7pm on Tuesday (July 9). Hertfordshire Police believe the three women were related.

Officers have said they believe he may be in possession of a crossbow. Anyone who spots him should call 999 immediately and should not approach him.

Clifford, from Enfield, may be in Hertfordshire or north London, police believe. Pictures from the current scene show police stationed on Ashlyn Close. A cordon is in place across the street with officers guarding the taped off area and there is also a private ambulance at the scene.

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Local councillors for the North Bushey area said they were 'deeply shocked and saddened' by the news of the deaths of the three women.

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." Detective Superintendent Rob Hall from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit called for anyone with information to come forward.

"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," he said. "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 inquiries will continue over the coming days to ascertain the full circumstances of what happened but I would also like to take this opportunity to 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."

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called around 7pm on Tuesday July 9 to a property in Ashlyn Close in Bushey. 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." Local councillors for the area 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."

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