Bushey manhunt: Police statement in full after murder suspect Kyle Clifford found

Uniformed police officers could still be seen outside Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield on Wednesday evening.

Two officers stood at the entrance gates and no-one entered the cemetery.

Other uniformed officers could also be seen patrolling the residential neighbourhood around the cemetery.

Video footage also shows the emergency services at the scene earlier today.

BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Chapman has sent his “love and thoughts” to fellow commentator and friend John Hunt after what he described as a “heartbreaking day”.

Speaking through tears at the start of the Euro 2024 pre-match show on 5 Live, Mr Chapman said: “This has been a heartbreaking day. John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live sport team but to all of those who have worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries.

“On behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live sport, our love and thoughts and support are with John and his family.”

A friend of Louise Hunt's has said she was “always a positive person” and that he could not think of “anything bad to say about her”.

He told BBC News: “I knew Louise back from school days and she was really sweet, very kind, always a positive person.

“I can’t think of anything bad to say about her – a really lovely person all round, a super hardworking person. It’s been a massive shock.”

Here is Hertfordshire Police's statement in full:

"Following an extensive search, Kyle Clifford, aged 26, was found in the Enfield area by officers this afternoon (Wednesday 10 July).

"He is receiving medical treatment having been found with injuries. No shots were fired by police.

"At this stage, we believe the suspect was known to the victims."

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."

Kyle Clifford has been found, police have said. He was found injured in Enfield and is receiving medical treatment.

It is reported he was taken to the Royal London Hospital.

Rae Cresswell, 26, a local resident who filmed footage of the armed police search of Lavender Hill Cemetery, said: "I was just in there minding my own business when I saw about 10 officers coming in, it was around 3pm I’d say.

"I was quite worried because they were armed and there were dogs with them.

"I asked them if they wanted me to leave but they said it was fine to stay.

"They started checking the area so I left shortly after and came back to see all these vehicles."

The first pictures have emerged of an ambulance leaving Lavender Hill Cemetery, near Kyle Clifford's home in Enfield, north London.

Armed police descended on the cemetery amid the manhunt for Clifford.

An ambulance has been filmed leaving a cemetery near Kyle Clifford's home.

Armed officers have been searching Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield.

CCTV has been released which appears to show Kyle Clifford.

The footage shows a person dressed mostly in black emerge from a property and carrying an object covered with what looks like a cloth.

They walk towards a car, place the object on the back seat and get behind the wheel before driving off.

Footage posted on social media appears to show emergency services rushing towards a cemetery in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, north London, as the manhunt continues.

Armed police could also be seen in the video, with Hertfordshire Police saying they were unable to confirm whether they had narrowed their search for the triple murder suspect to the area.

Glyn Nicholas has lived on the same road as the victims for 50 years.

Mr Nicholas, 77, said: “I knew of them, I said ‘hello’ to them and all that.

"I know one of the daughters because she’s our dog groomer. All our daughters had their dogs groomed with Louise. She knew my wife, but the other daughter I didn’t know at all.

"The father I said ‘hello’ to a couple of times, he’s a racing commentator and he does work for the BBC. He sometimes does Olympics but was mainly employed by Sky, at the races or presenting at the studio.

"All I knew was I was going to get dressed before the football started at 10 to eight. I was in most of the day and never knew anything until I looked out the window. I don’t know if it was her boyfriend, but put it this way, some of my dog walkers said that she’d had a traumatic boyfriend bust up the week before last.

"They were a private family, all very nice, a private family. They all did their own things. Louise started a business a couple of years ago, and it was a thriving business – we all took our dogs there to be groomed.

"They used to have a dog themselves and they used to be out and about walking their dog. I’d just say hello, never stopped and talked.

"A very close-knit family and they used to love the street. With his job they probably could have found a more salubrious house but they’d had a lot of work done on their house over the years. They had a groomer’s hut built for the dogs in the garden. I believe they had another daughter who lives away.

He said that the girls "were quite young when they came here – they were just young girls when they came here so they’ve probably been nearer 20 years here".

A Rendlesham Road resident said around a dozen police officers searched a nearby house on Wednesday morning.

He said: “It was quite the shock seeing all the guns and dogs, the road went from quiet to manic out of nowhere.

“They were shouting ‘armed police’ and pointing their guns so it was clearly quite a serious matter.

“I don’t really know who lives there. I’ve never seen the guy the police are after.”

Police searched a property in the road earlier today.

Armed police have been searching Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London.

Images show officers dressed from head to toe in black and carrying firearms as they scour the site.

Neighbours from in and around Ashlyn Close have started to lay flowers by the police cordon.

Some are tearful as they approach the scene.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is urgently considering the findings of a Home Office review to see if tougher crossbow laws need to be introduced in the wake of the deaths of the wife and two daughters of racing commentator John Hunt.

A department spokeswoman said: "This is an appalling incident and the Home Secretary is being kept updated by the police.

"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."

Children at a primary school in Enfield have been kept indoors as police search for Kyle Clifford.

Jade-Simone Bacon, Headteacher at St Michael's CofE Primary School in Brigadier Hill, Enfield, said pupils weren't allowed to go outside.

Parents were able to pick up their children at "the normal time" at the end of the school day, Mrs Bacon confirmed.

Enfield Council in north London says it has been advised by police that "there is no perceived threat" to the public.

In a statement posted on the local authority's X account, the council said: "You will be aware of the news regarding the suspect Kyle Clifford from the Enfield area, wanted in relation to a triple murder in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

"We have been advised by the Police that there is no perceived threat to the public so the guidance is to carry on as normal.

"Local schools have been advised that end of day school procedures should continue as per normal.

"There will be an enhanced police presence in the area and around some schools to provide reassurance to pupils and parents."

Messages of condolence have been posted on social media by figures from the racing world.

ITV racing commentator Matt Chapman wrote on X: "No words needed for what has happened to HuntyCaller and family today.

"Impossible to comprehend the pain. Just know we are all here for you John. We love you pal - racing loves you."

The Amateur Jockeys Association of Great Britain and Beverley Racecourse were among others sending their sympathies.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed on Wednesday that Kyle Clifford, wanted in connection with the triple murder in Bushey had served briefly in the Armed Forces.

A Whitehall source said: “He didn’t serve very long and he is no longer a serving member of the armed forces. We’re not going to speculate which regiment or unit he was in, but look at his age. He didn’t serve very long.”

Victim Louise Hunt had been left so upset by a recent breakup with her boyfriend she crashed her car, a neighbour has said.

The 25-year-old is believed to have been in a relationship with suspect Kyle Clifford, and was so devastated by the split she smashed into a telegraph pole outside her house.

Glyn Nicholas, 77, told the Telegraph: “Louise split up with her boyfriend a few days ago and she crashed her car into a telegraph pole because she was so upset coming home. She’s a lovely, caring girl. She runs a dog grooming business in Bushey.

“Her sister Hannah and mother Carol are lovely as well. It’s all so sad. Louise was a sweet, lovely girl. They all were. This is so sad for everyone."

As part of a note sent to BBC 5 Live staff on Wednesday, the organisation described the incident which involved the deaths of the wife and daughters of racing commentator John Hunt as “utterly devastating”.

The note read: “The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating.

“Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.”

This map shows the three main areas of interest after the horror incident unfolded.

The first is Ashlyn Close in Enfield where Carol, Louise and Hannah Hunt were found dead.

Secondly, St Michael's Primary School in Enfield was put on a precautionary lockdown with police attended the school.

It's near site three, a home on Rendelsham Road in Enfield believed to be where Kyle Clifford lives. Armed police stormed the home this afternoon.

Armed police have searched an address in Rendlesham Road, Enfield, as the manhunt for Kyle Clifford continues.

The house, close to Gordon Hill railway station, was swarmed by officers on Wednesday morning, according to neighbours.

Two officers were stood outside the property at 1.30pm, after a cordon was removed.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “They kept going in and out of the property carrying guns, the whole road was taped off.

“It was over quite quickly but there’s been helicopters flying around the area all day.

“I don’t recognise the suspect at all, as far as I’m concerned he didn’t live in the house.”

Two helicopters have been seen circling the Hilly Fields Park near Enfield opposite Clifford’s home.

A “co-ordinated search” is reportedly taking place and a car of possible interest has been found.

Two sisters killed in the terrifying attack have been named as Louise and Hannah Hunt.

25-year-old Louise is believed to be the ex girlfriend of suspect Kyle Clifford.

Louise works as a dog groomer, while sister Hannah, 28, owns her own beauty company.

Carol Hunt, 61, has been named as one of the victims of the horror attack.

She is the wife of BBC Five Live commentator John Hunt.

The 25-year-old and 28-year-old victims are believed to be her daughters.

The wife and two daughters of a BBC commentator are believed to be the victims of horrifying triple murder in Bushey, according to the Telegraph.

It is believed BBC Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, who is married with three children, had been working on Tuesday and may have raised the alarm when he returned home at around 7pm.

The police have made a direct appeal for Kyle Clifford to use 999 to contact them.

It was local policing commander Jon Simpson who gave the press conference. He did not take questions from the media.

Police say other weapons may also have been used, not just a crossbow.

The ages of the victims have been given – aged 25, 28 and 61 and police say they believe it was a targeted incident.

The women killed in the horror attack have been revealed as members of the same family.

One is believed to be suspect Kyle Clifford's ex-girlfriend, while the other two are believed to be her sister and mother.

The Home Secretary is being kept "fully updated" on the killings of the three women who were found in Bushey, Hertfordshire, and has urged anyone with information about the case to contact police.

The previous government had considered tightening the laws around crossbows after would-be assassin Jaswant Singh Chail was encouraged by an AI chatbot to break into Windsor Castle on Christmas Day 2021 with a loaded crossbow to kill the late Queen.

Local councillor Laurence Brass, who lives nearby, said the area is “a typical leafy British suburb”.

He told the BBC: “At about eight o’clock last night, I was watching the football on television, and suddenly a helicopter landed in the lawn outside my flat, which is at the top of this road, and then my phone started going.

"I was told that there was a major incident here in Bushey and we should all keep away because there was somebody apparently on the run.

“This is not something that happens in Bushey.

“We can’t remember a murder in our rather quiet neck of the woods, so [it’s a] terrible shock and our sympathies and prayers and thoughts are with the families of the three women.

“That really is a terrible thing to happen to anybody, and I’ve gathered they’re all from the same family, which obviously makes it even more tragic, and we’ll do everything we can as the local council to add our source of comfort where we can.”

Sarah Fernandez, 52, arrived back home just after 7.30pm to find Ashlyn Close swarming with armed police.

She said: “ I was the last car allowed into the street before the police closed off access. There were about 15 armed police vehicles parked up. It’s really frightening. We’ve never had anything like this before here.”

Police have said that Kyle Clifford could be armed with a crossbow.

Officers warned the public to 'not approach' him if seen, and instead to call 999.

The 26-year-old Clifford from the Enfield area could be in North London or Hertfordshire.

Residents are “deeply shocked” after three women were found dead at a home in Bushey.

Diaz Hussein told The Telegraph: “It’s absolutely terrifying. Everyone around here is deeply shocked.

“This is a lovely friendly street where everyone gets on. Lots of professionals live here and we all get on very well. I’m stunned at what’s happened.”

Mr Hussein added: “I don’t recognise the man wanted in connection with this from the picture police have released. I’ve not noticed him around here before.”

County Councillor Laurence Brass echoed the dismay felt by local residents.

“It’s a shock for everyone on the street,” he said. “The worst thing that usually happens around here is fly tipping and now we’ve got three people dead. Utterly shocking.”

Police are on the scene in Ashlyn Close, Bushey.

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 have paid tribute to the three women, adding they are “deeply shocked and saddened” by the incident.

Louise Nicolas, Alan Matthews and Paul Richards called the deaths “tragic” and extended their condolences to those affected.

They 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.”

Locals living in the proximity of the attacks described the terrifying police response that descended on the quiet cul-de-sac.

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.”

Police are now appealing to anyone who was in the area around Ashlyn Close on Tuesday afternoon and evening and may have seen anything that could assist the investigation.

The public was also urged to not approach Clifford, who may be in Hertfordshire or North London and could be in possession of a weapon.

Officers were called to a property in Ashlyn Close just before 7pm alongside the East of England Ambulance Service and found three women with serious injuries.

Despite their best efforts, the women, who are believed to be related, died a short time later at the scene.

Hertfordshire Police are looking for Kyle Clifford, 26 and from the Enfield area, who is wanted following the murder of three women in Bushey yesterday (July 9).

Welcome to this live blog following the manhunt for Kyle Clifford.