Man arrested as mother, child and baby found stabbed to death in house
A MOTHER and her two young children, one aged three and another just 18 months old, were found stabbed to death in a house.
The parent was named locally as Marta Galikowska, 28, who had moved to Britain from Poland.
Police arrested one man at the scene and forensic examinations have begun after the bodies were discovered yesterday.
Officers are carrying out door-to-door enquiries after the victims were found at a semi-detached house at Stanfields, Stoke-on-Trent at 6.35pm.
Residents spoke of the shock at the deaths and said it was "terrifying" it happened in their neighbourhood.
Everybody keeps themselves to themselves in the area. It is terrifying
One woman said: "All I know is that a mother and two children have been killed.
"I have heard the children were aged 18 months and three. I couldn't tell you the mother's age.
"It is a shame. It really is. They arrested somebody at the scene earlier.
"I was told by a woman who lived two doors down from where it happened the woman's name was Marta Galikowska. It's terribly sad."
Jason Boden, 47, who lives on the same street as the victims, added: "As far as I know, a woman and two kids have been killed.
"As far as I can gather, she was an ex-girlfriend who was Polish.
"Everybody keeps themselves to themselves in the area. It is terrifying."
Chief Superintendent Martin Evans from Staffordshire Police said the local community had been "shocked and saddened" by the deaths.
He added: "We recognise the community's need for information, however it is important not to speculate and let our detectives conduct their detailed investigation to establish the full facts.
"Local officers will maintain a visible presence in our community to support the investigation and the local community affected."