A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an attack at a gurdwara in Kent.
The 17-year-old boy from Gravesend is in custody having been arrested also on suspicion of a religiously aggravated public order offence, after police were called to the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in the town at 8.10pm on Thursday.
Kent police said it was reported that a male had gone into the Sikh place of worship and tried to assault people there while armed with a bladed weapon. No one was seriously injured but two women needed treatment for cuts and bruises, the force added.
A bladed weapon was recovered from the scene and no one else is being sought by police.
Kent police’s Det Supt Ian Dyball said: “We understand the community’s concerns in relation to the events at the gurdwara, however we are treating it as an isolated incident.
“Patrols will remain in the area for reassurance and we thank the community for their ongoing support and assistance.”
‘He may still be armed’: Public urged not to approach Bushey murder suspect Kyle Clifford
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A man has now been arrested in connection with a triple murder on Tuesday evening (9 July).
A 26-year-old man from Enfield was arrested on Thursday evening (11 July) on suspicion of three counts of murder.
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family at this tragic time.
“The investigation is moving at pace and as a result, we have now arrested a man. Enquiries are continuing at this time.”
Police had been waiting to question Hertfordshire suspect Kyle Clifford, who was in hospital with serious injuries after a manhunt located him in a cemetery in Enfield.
Louise Hunt, aged 25, her sister Hannah, 28, and their mother Carol, 61 – the family of BBC racing commentator John Hunt – were found with fatal wounds at their home in Bushey on Tuesay evening.
Hannah’s boyfriend has paid tribute to “the love of my life” who was “stolen from me too soon”, as devastated friends and neighbours described the Hunts as “beautiful souls” and “the loveliest, gentlest family”.
Breaking: 26-year-old suspect arrested, police say
Kyle Clifford has now been arrested in connection with the triple murder in Bushey.
In a statement, Hertsfordshire Police said: “A 26-year-old man from Enfield was arrested on Thursday evening on suspicion of three counts of murder.
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family at this tragic time.
“The investigation is moving at pace and as a result, we have now arrested a man. Enquiries are continuing at this time.”
Loreto College in St Albans has paid tribute to its two former pupils.
A statement said: “Today we are mourning the loss of two of our ex-students, Hannah [and] Louise, along with their mother, Carol.
“We extend our thoughts [and] prayers to the family during this most difficult time. As a Loreto Community, they will always hold a place in our heart. May they rest in peace.”
Here is the latest statement from Hertsfordshire Police, issued on Thursday afternoon:
The suspect of a triple murder in Bushey continues to receive medical treatment in a London hospital. Kyle Clifford, who was wanted in connection with the incident, was located yesterday afternoon (10 July) following a police manhunt.
At this stage, he is currently in a serious condition and is yet to speak with officers. A crossbow has been recovered as part of the investigation.
Enquiries continue today and as part of this, we have explored if there was any prior police contact between Hertfordshire Constabulary, Kyle Clifford and the victims. We can confirm there had been no previous reports made to police.
Who is Kyle Clifford? The former soldier captured by police
The man captured by police after a mother and two daughters were killed in a crossbow attack was a former soldier with a brother serving life in prison for murder, it has emerged.
Kyle Clifford, 26, served briefly in the armed forces having, it is understood, been a member of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards before dropping out in 2022. After the army he briefly worked at a fire and security installation company, but left in July last year.
Born in Enfield in 1998, Clifford is understood to be the third of four children. His eldest brother Bradley Clifford was jailed for life in 2018 after mowing down a moped and beating a teenager to death in a rage after his “prized” red Ford Mustang was damaged.
Jockeys wear black armbands in tribute to John Hunt’s family
Jockeys at the Newmarket Racecourse wore black armbands on Thursday in tribute to the family of BBC racing commentator John Hunt.
A minute’s silence was also held for the crowd at Ladies’ Day to pay their respects, while fellow commentator Richard Hoiles paid tribute at the start of his coverage.
“It’s impossible to rationalise such a heinous, pointless and terrible act in modern-day society,” he is reported to have said. “I’ve known John for 30 years. If you spend even a few moments in his company, the odds are that the talk will turn to family.
“It has been a folklore that after our annual shindig at Christmas 20-odd years ago, we’d all retired to the local pub and out would come John’s wallet with pictures of the girls at primary school.
“Words just seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances and all we can try and do is provide some crumb of comfort by trying to exhibit the warmth and respect in which John and his family are held.”
Jockeys wear black armbands in respect of BBC Racing radio commentator John Hunt (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Hannah Hunt’s boyfriend pays tribute to ‘love of my life'
The boyfriend of Hannah Hunt has paid tribute to “the love of my life” after she was “stolen from me too soon”.
Alex Klein posted a picture of the pair on Instagram with the caption: “RIP the love of my life, I will never forget you, stolen from me too soon.
“The brightest light in my life. My brave queen for life. Until we meet again ... I love you Hansy.”
As reported by The Telegraph and other outlets, he also posted a picture of the couple kissing in a swimming pool, and another attending an investor event, carrying the words “forever with me”.
Speaking outside St James’ Church on Thursday after a vigil for Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC 5 Live commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, friends of the family shared their shock.
Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a “beautiful person”.
After being joined by two other close friends, Dionne Smith, 58, and Abigail Phillips, 58, the trio told reporters: “We were a four, and now there’s only three.
Four people died overnight trying to cross the Channel to reach Britain, French officials have said.
A rescue operation took place off Boulogne-sur-Mer on France’s northern coast after reports of people in the sea. Four of those pulled from the sea had drowned.
At least 53 survivors were rescued early on Friday morning, according to Whitehall sources. They are being cared for by the French authorities.
The drownings happened after one of the tubes from the dinghy the group were travelling in deflated, according to the French maritime prefect of the Channel and North Sea.
The French coastguard spotted the dinghy at 4.30am and a French navy boat and a helicopter were drafted in to assist with the rescue.
Three people were found unconscious in the water and a fourth clinging to the wreckage of the dinghy. None were able to be resuscitated. The survivors were taken back to the quayside at Boulogne.
An HM Coastguard spokesperson said assistance was offered to the French coastguard on Friday. “An RNLI lifeboat from Dover and Border Force vessel were initially sent to provide support but were not required to attend the scene,” they said.
The deaths are the first to happen since Keir Starmer took office. He has pledged to “stop the criminal gangs” but it is unlikely that any new policy can be put into action quickly enough to make a dent in the peak in crossings through the summer months.
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “The further loss of life in the Channel this morning is truly awful. My thoughts are with all those affected. Criminal gangs are making vast profit from putting lives at risk. We are accelerating action with international partners to pursue and bring down dangerous smuggler gangs.”
The last major incident was on 23 April when five people died off the French coast trying to reach the UK.
The deaths take the total number killed on the perilous crossing from France to Britain this year to 19.
Home Office figures show 419 people made the journey across the Channel from France to the UK in six boats on Tuesday. The figures mean an average of about 70 people for each boat and take the provisional total for 2024 to date to 14,058, according to the Press Association.
The chief executive of the Refugee Council, Enver Solomon, said: “This devastating loss of life in the Channel highlights the scale of the challenge facing the new government. Preventing more deaths which are now happening too often is a critical and urgent task.
“We need to bring an end to men, women and children who have fled war and oppression in countries such as Afghanistan, Syria and Iran being driven into the arms of the smuggling gangs by opening safe routes so refugees wanting to be with their families are not forced to take deadly risks. We also need to put in place cooperation agreements with our European allies to provide safe passage from France and trial the use of refugee visas.”
The shadow home secretary, James Cleverly, said on X: “Reports of more deaths in the Channel are a tragedy. As a country we must do everything in our power to stop the boats and put an end to this vile trade in human suffering.”
In a report published on Friday the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has called on the UK’s new government to uphold the right to asylum and for regional and international cooperation to deal with refugee issues.
Vicky Tennant, UNHCR’s representative to the UK, said: “In recent years, arrivals across the Channel have generated a perception of crisis, often obscuring the desperation driving these journeys, as refugees move in search of safety and stability. While the challenges of addressing irregular movements of refugees and migrants are real, practical solutions are at hand that work for states and refugees.”
‘He may still be armed’: Public urged not to approach Bushey murder suspect Kyle Clifford
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Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
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The boyfriend of Hannah Hunt has paid tribute to “the love of my life” who was “stolen from me too soon” as the country reels after the triple murder in Hertfordshire.
Hannah, 28, Louise, 25, and their mother Carol, 61 – the family of BBC racing commentator John Hunt – were described by devastated friends and neighbours as “beautiful souls” and “the loveliest, gentlest family” after they were discovered with fatal wounds at their home in Bushey.
Following an extensive manhunt, armed police found suspect Kyle Clifford in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday night. The 26-year-old is still in hospital being treated for serious injuries, Hertfordshire Constabulary says.
Police investigating the murders said on Thursday they had recovered a crossbow.
Clifford’s older brother, Bradley, is serving a 23-year prison sentence for murder, after he ran over and killed a moped driver who threw a bottle at his Ford Mustang. Police searching a house in Enfield linked to Bradley Clifford have seized what appeared to be two computer hard drives and two document bags.
Here is the latest statement from Hertsfordshire Police, issued on Thursday afternoon:
The suspect of a triple murder in Bushey continues to receive medical treatment in a London hospital. Kyle Clifford, who was wanted in connection with the incident, was located yesterday afternoon (10 July) following a police manhunt.
At this stage, he is currently in a serious condition and is yet to speak with officers. A crossbow has been recovered as part of the investigation.
Enquiries continue today and as part of this, we have explored if there was any prior police contact between Hertfordshire Constabulary, Kyle Clifford and the victims. We can confirm there had been no previous reports made to police.
Who is Kyle Clifford? The former soldier captured by police
The man captured by police after a mother and two daughters were killed in a crossbow attack was a former soldier with a brother serving life in prison for murder, it has emerged.
Kyle Clifford, 26, served briefly in the armed forces having, it is understood, been a member of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards before dropping out in 2022. After the army he briefly worked at a fire and security installation company, but left in July last year.
Born in Enfield in 1998, Clifford is understood to be the third of four children. His eldest brother Bradley Clifford was jailed for life in 2018 after mowing down a moped and beating a teenager to death in a rage after his “prized” red Ford Mustang was damaged.
Jockeys wear black armbands in tribute to John Hunt’s family
Jockeys at the Newmarket Racecourse wore black armbands on Thursday in tribute to the family of BBC racing commentator John Hunt.
A minute’s silence was also held for the crowd at Ladies’ Day to pay their respects, while fellow commentator Richard Hoiles paid tribute at the start of his coverage.
“It’s impossible to rationalise such a heinous, pointless and terrible act in modern-day society,” he is reported to have said. “I’ve known John for 30 years. If you spend even a few moments in his company, the odds are that the talk will turn to family.
“It has been a folklore that after our annual shindig at Christmas 20-odd years ago, we’d all retired to the local pub and out would come John’s wallet with pictures of the girls at primary school.
“Words just seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances and all we can try and do is provide some crumb of comfort by trying to exhibit the warmth and respect in which John and his family are held.”
Jockeys wear black armbands in respect of BBC Racing radio commentator John Hunt (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Hannah Hunt’s boyfriend pays tribute to ‘love of my life'
The boyfriend of Hannah Hunt has paid tribute to “the love of my life” after she was “stolen from me too soon”.
Alex Klein posted a picture of the pair on Instagram with the caption: “RIP the love of my life, I will never forget you, stolen from me too soon.
“The brightest light in my life. My brave queen for life. Until we meet again ... I love you Hansy.”
As reported by The Telegraph and other outlets, he also posted a picture of the couple kissing in a swimming pool, and another attending an investor event, carrying the words “forever with me”.
Speaking outside St James’ Church on Thursday after a vigil for Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC 5 Live commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, friends of the family shared their shock.
Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a “beautiful person”.
After being joined by two other close friends, Dionne Smith, 58, and Abigail Phillips, 58, the trio told reporters: “We were a four, and now there’s only three.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it received a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police after suspect Kyle Clifford was found by officers with serious injuries in Enfield, but was satisfied no investigation was needed.
A spokesperson said: “Based on the evidence provided, there does not appear to have been any physical contact with Mr Clifford at the time he was seriously injured. Therefore, we were satisfied the matter does not require investigation and it has been returned to the force to deal with.”
Messages were left on floral tributes in the road in Bushey where Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were killed in a suspected crossbow attack at their home.
Four migrants die in English Channel crossing attempt
File photo of a French Police officer looking out over a beach in France
Four migrants have died after a boat capsized during an attempt to cross the English Channel, according to the French coastguard.
Overnight, a navy patrol boat reported that migrants had fallen into the sea off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France.
Four people found "unconscious" could not be saved, police added, while 63 were rescued.
A helicopter and fishing vessel also helped in the rescue effort.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the incident as "truly awful".
The coastguard said several people fell into the sea after part of their boat "deflated".
The initial alert was raised at 04:30 local time (03:30 BST), with a helicopter arriving around 30 minutes later. It found several people "drifting in the water while others were still clinging to the broken rubber dingy".
14 people were rescued by the fishing vessel and 49 others by the French navy ship, the coastguard said.
"All the shipwrecked individuals were then brought ashore in Boulogne and taken care of by the emergency services on land."
UK Home Office figures show 484 migrants crossed the English Channel on Monday and Tuesday.
On 18 June, 882 people crossed the Channel on 15 small boats – a new record for the year so far.
According to Home Office data, those arrivals were the highest in a single day since October 2022.
Over 13,000 people have crossed the Channel so far this year.
Reacting to the deaths, the home secretary said: "Criminal gangs are making vast profit from putting lives at risk.
"We are accelerating action with international partners to pursue and bring down dangerous smuggler gangs."
Earlier this week, the new Labour government set out plans to tackle the small boat crisis.
Ms Cooper said she would appoint a leader of the UK's new Border Security Command within weeks.
The government hopes the new body will reduce small boat crossings in the English Channel.
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
The man captured by police after a mother and two daughters were killed in a crossbow attack was a former soldier with a brother serving life in prison for murder, it has emerged.
Kyle Clifford, 26, served briefly in the armed forces having, it is understood, been a member of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards before dropping out in 2022.
Police launched a manhunt for Clifford, who had worked as a security guard, after the wife and two daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt were killed in their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday.
Kyle Clifford, 26, was captured by police following a major manhunt (PA/Supplied)
Mr Hunt’s wife Carol, 61, beautician Hannah, 28, and dog groomer Louise, 25, died in the “targeted” attack which involved a crossbow.
Clifford was reported to have been in a relationship with Louise and police have confirmed he was known to the victims.
He was being treated in hospital after armed police tracked him to a cemetery in Enfield, north London, where he was found injured on Wednesday afternoon.
Hertfordshire Police located Kyle Clifford on Wednesday (PA Wire)
Born in Enfield in 1998, Clifford is understood to be the third of four children.
His eldest brother Bradley Clifford was jailed for life in 2018 after mowing down a moped and beating a teenager to death in a rage after his “prized” red Ford Mustang was damaged.
He was handed a minimum term of 23 years in prison following a trial at London’s Old Bailey, which heard he relentlessly pursued the moped carrying Soban Khan, 18, and his friend Jahshua Francis.
Kyle’s older brother Bradley Clifford, 24, of Rendlesham Road in Enfield, north London, has been found guilty of murder (Metropolitan Police)
Mr Francis weaved into oncoming traffic and tried to mount the pavement in a bid to escape, but he and Mr Khan, riding pillion, were thrown into the air when Bradley Clifford crashed into them in the early hours of 5 August 2017. As Mr Khan lay dying in the road, he then leapt out of his car and beat him to death.
The brutal attack followed a confrontation between two groups of young people outside a bar shortly after 3am that morning, the court heard.
Bradley Clifford's red Ford Mustang after he crashed it into the moped carrying Soban Khan and Jahshua Francis in Enfield (Metropolitan Police)
Police raided Bradley’s former address in Rendlesham Road, Enfield, in the hunt for Kyle on Wednesday.
A former army boss described Kyle, five years Bradley’s junior, as “immature” when he served as a trooper - the equivalent of a private with the Dragoon Guards.
The British Army website states that the regiment has specialised in reconnaisance since its formation in 1685.
Aerial footage appeared to show Kyle Clifford being stretchered from a cemetery in Enfield (Sky News)
A picture of Kyle from his military career shows him dressed in army fatigues carrying a weapon, with camouflage paint on his face.
An army source told The Sun: “Clifford joined the Army in 2019 and I was with him in Basic Training. When he joined the Army he was immature for his age and had a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
“He struggled to grasp basic military concepts but managed to reach the standard to pass out from training.
“I hear he was [later] working in private security so would indicate that he is no longer in the military,” the source said.
After the army he briefly worked at a fire and security installation company, but left in July last year.
The firm Amthal, based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, said in a statement: “Kyle Clifford was employed from February 22, 2023 to July 20, 2023.
“Since he departed from Amthal in July 2023, we have had no further communication with Mr Clifford.”
‘He may still be armed’: Public urged not to approach Bushey murder suspect Kyle Clifford
Support truly independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
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Armed police have found the man suspected of the crossbow murders of the wife and two daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt.
Officers and paramedics had rushed to a cemetery in Enfield, north London, following a huge manhunt that lasted most of Wednesday for Kyle Clifford, 26.
He was found in the Enfield area and was treated for injuries, police said. Hertfordshire Police said their officers did not fire any shots.
Clifford, who left the British Army in 2022 following a brief period of service, was wanted over the deaths of Carol Hunt, 61, and the couple’s two daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25.
The three women were found with serious injuries after officers were called to a property in Bushey on Tuesday evening.
During the manhunt, the force said they believed Clifford may have been armed with a crossbow and warned the public not to approach him.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper said she was being kept fully updated about the “truly shocking” deaths.
A Home Office spokeswoman said Ms Cooper would consider the findings of a call for evidence on crossbows to see whether laws need to be tightened further.
Woman who grew up with sisters remembers ‘super-nice and friendly’ family
A local resident who grew up with the Hunt family and played with Louise and Hannah when they were children described the family as “super-nice and friendly”.
The 22-year-old woman, who did not want to be identified, said John and Carol Hunt would often be seen walking their dogs together in the local area.
She said: “I feel so bad for the dad. I saw him just two weeks ago.”
The family friend added that Hannah worked as a beautician and Louise as a dog groomer.
A husband and wife who knew the victims paid tribute to the family as “nice and friendly” neighbours who would always wave and say “hello” as they walked their dogs past their house, writes Tara Cobham.
Simon and Tracey Bowler, who have children who are similar ages to the victims, spoke of how “emotional”, overwhelming” and “really sad” it was to hear of the three women’s deaths.
Drescribing the area as quiet and residential, Ms Bowler said she had lived in Bushey for more than a decade and knew John Hunt through the local gym.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was being kept fully updated about the inquiry into the “truly shocking” deaths.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “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.”
The BBC said, in a note to 5 Live staff, that it would provide racing commentator John Hunt with “all the support we can” after the killings of his wife, Carol, and her two daughters, Hannah and Louise.
Police found Kyle Clifford, 26, in the Enfield area of north London late on Wednesday after a hunt lasting most of the day.
Police had ‘overwhelming’ volume of calls from public
Police say they had an overwhelming number of calls from the public while they were hunting for murder suspect Kyle Clifford.
Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “This continues to be an incredibly difficult time for the victims’ family and we would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with what has happened.
“This investigation is moving at pace and formal identification of the victims is yet to take place. The premature naming of potential victims has caused great upset to the family when they should’ve been given the space to come to terms with their sudden loss.
“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.”
Home secretary Yvette Cooper is urgently considering whether tougher crossbow laws are needed in the wake of the murders, after a Home Office review was carried out earlier this year:
