Detectives believe a triple-murder suspect may have gone on the run armed with a crossbow, after the bodies of three women were found in Bushey in Hertfordshire.
Police have launched a search for Kyle Clifford, 26, and warned he may have a weapon.
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 named Clifford in connection with the deaths and said they believed he was from Enfield, north London, about 16 miles from the scene.
Police say they are “actively seeking” Clifford, and have been hunting him since the discovery of the three women.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire police confirmed to the Guardian that Clifford “may be in possession of a crossbow”.
A major and urgent part of the police investigation is how the three women received their fatal injuries.
Two air ambulances – one from London – along with ambulances and other paramedics were sent to the scene.
Police believe Clifford may be in the Hertfordshire or north London areas. Officers are warning people who believe they have spotted him not to approach him, but to call 999 instead.
They have 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.
Detective Supt 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 inquires 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.”
A spokesperson for East of England ambulance service said: “We were called around 7pm on Tuesday 9 July 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.”
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said on social media: “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 @HertsPolice with any information about this case.”
A local councillor, Laurence Brass, who lives close by, said: “At 7pm last night a helicopter landed on the lawn in the development I live in, which is 100 yards away from here, but it was an air ambulance, I’m told, and then rumours started circulating about a crossbow.
“The worst thing that’s ever happened in this part of Bushey is a bit of illegal flytipping and then suddenly we get three murders and we’re all a bit shellshocked.
“This is a very traditional, quiet, leafy suburb, we don’t get this sort of thing in this area and I want residents to know that the council will be ensuring that the liaison team is down here and doing everything they can to comfort them and make sure that they are reassured that everything is being done.
“But we’re worried that this guy is still floating around somewhere.”
