Dramatic moment cops storm home in search for ‘crossbow killer’ Kyle Clifford as suspect’s car is found
A DOZEN cops have raided a property amid the manhunt for Kyle Clifford after three women were “murdered” in a “targeted incident”.
Two helicopters were spotted circling the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, North London, as armed police stormed a home amid their search for the ‘murder’ suspect.
Footage obtained by The Sun showed police dogs and around 12 specialist cops raiding the terraced home on Rendlesham Road in North London, at 11.30am this morning.
One officer can be heard screaming: “Armed Police, come to the door and raise your hands” as cops barge through the front of the property.
If he’s come around here, there’s not many places he can hide
Local resident
It is unclear who or what cops discovered in the home but at least two officers are still at the scene of the raid.
A source said: “It’s a really heavy response — and shocking for everyone to see.
“They charged in and spent quite a while in the home. It didn’t seem like anyone was there”.
A neighbour of the raided property said they didn’t know who was living there and believed the terraced home was empty.
The man, who asked not to be named, said: “I don’t know who is there, to be honest, I thought it was empty.”
Another resident on the quiet street said: “The police haven’t been round to talk to us yet.
“If he’s come around here, there’s not many places he can hide.
“Even the little side roads have lots of video (cameras).”
What we know so far…
- A manhunt has been launched after three women were found ‘murdered’ in a home in Bushey
- The victims are the wife and daughters of a BBC star
- It is believed suspect Kyle Clifford is the ex-boyfriend of one of the women
- Police are searching the Enfield area where Clifford is from after a car he is understood to have used was found
At 2pm an armed police officer was spotted patrolling the perimeter of Hilly Fields Park, less than half a mile from the raided home — as the search effort continued.
The park has not yet been closed to the public and dog walkers.
Several unmarked police vehicles are also at the scene.
Residents claimed they’ve been told a “coordinated search” is underway in the area and local primary schools have been urged to keep children inside.
Nearby St Michael’s Primary School has been put under lockdown after the triple ‘murder’.
A “car of possible interest” has also been located at the Hilly Fields scene.
It is understood cops have found Clifford’s vehicle, a black Seat hatchback.
The manhunt suspect is believed to have driven from the scene and the car was found abandoned.
Hertfordshire Constabulary have warned the public “not to approach” suspect Clifford, 26, as their specialist search continues.
‘CROSSBOW KILLING’
It comes after three women were discovered seriously injured at a property in Bushey, Hertfordshire, yesterday evening.
The victims, aged 25, 28 and 61-years-old, sadly could not be saved despite the best efforts of paramedics.
The women are said to be the family of a BBC star, as reported by the Telegraph.
It is understood the three women were related to John Hunt, a BBC Five Live racing commentator.
One of the victims has been named locally as Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughter Hannah.
Meanwhile, the MailOnline reported Clifford was the ex-boyfriend of one of Hunt’s daughters.
‘TAREGTED INCIDENT’
In their latest update, Superintendent Jon Simpson confirmed the force believe the horror was “a targeted incident” involving “what is believed to be a crossbow but other weapons may also have been used”.
“If any members of the public see Kyle Clifford they are urged not to approach him at any point and dial 999 immediately,” urged the Supt.
He also issued a personal message to Clifford, and urged the suspect to contact police.
“Kyle, if you are seeing or hearing this please make contact with police via 999,” he said.
Superintendent Jon Simpson full statement
“Police were called to a property in Ashlyn close just before 7pm last night. Officers attended alongside colleagues from the East of England Ambulance Service and on arrival found three women with serious injuries.
“Sadly despite their best efforts the women, who are believed to be related, died a short time later at the scene.
“The victims are aged 25, 28, and 61. Our over arching objective today is to protect public safety and locate Kyle Clifford who is wanted in connection with the murder of the three women, in what we believe is a targeted incident.
“We have extensive police resources deployed to various locations in North London, and the Bushey area of Hertfordshire.
“The manhunt also involves armed police officers and specialist search teams responding at pace in the wake of what has been a horrific incident involving what is currently believed to be a crossbow but other weapons may also have been used.
“If members of the public see Kyle Clifford they are urged not to approach him at any point and dial 999 immediately.
“Kyle if you are seeing or hearing this please make contact with police via 999.
“Upon an immediate search operation a major crime inquiry has been launched and we also appeal to the public for any information in relation to the incident.
“This incident will of course be of concern to local residents. Additional local officers will be in the area today.”
You can report information online, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via their online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting Op Infauna.
Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.
Clifford, from Enfield in North London, may still be in possession of a crossbow, police warned earlier.
The force urged anyone who sees him to call 999 immediately.
‘SIRENS AND SHOUTING’
One horrified local told how armed cops swarmed the quiet residential street last night.
Francis Turner, who was watching the Spain v France game at the time, told how she heard shouting outside.
She told The Sun: “My husband and I were watching the football when we heard sirens and shouting. There were around 30 policemen outside.
“There were armed police. They came and knocked on our door and told us to stay inside and keep our doors shut.
“My heart goes out to them. I feel very sad for the family, my heart goes out to them.”
Another local Dereck Turner, who took a photo of armed police outside, said: “It’s a very quiet and peaceful area, it’s close to everything, when a house comes up it’s gone.”
Meanwhile, Simon Powler, 49, a tennis coach who lives nearby to the scene in Bushey, added: “I got told to go inside because a man might be on the loose with a crossbow.”
‘HUGE POLICE PRESENCE’
Other stunned residents told how more than a dozen emergency vehicles were scrambled to the quiet residential street last night.
One person said: “It’s on my road Ashlyn Close It’s cordoned off.
“There were 11 police cars, an armed response unit, four ambulances and a fire engine.
“We’re not allowed to park on our driveway and have had to park round the corner. Whatever happened, it’s really bad and everyone is shaken up.”
Another resident said there was a “huge police presence” in the area.
Someone else who lives in Ashlyn Close said they heard screaming as the “absolutely traumatic” horror unfolded.
The 46-year-old, who did not wish to share their name, said: “It was between 6.30pm and 7pm last night and it literally just sounded like kids, somebody, screaming, and then it was more shrill and I was like, ‘that’s definitely a woman screaming’, and within 15 minutes, it was absolute chaos.
“We had armed police running down, screaming ‘stay in your house’…. they shut us off and basically put us into lockdown.”
The resident said multiple ambulances, helicopters and “at least 16 police cars” arrived at the scene quickly, with armed police going from house to house to question locals, request doorbell camera footage and tell them to stay indoors.
“It’s really, really stressful now to think that that happened in such a close vicinity and none of us were aware and none of us could help,” she added.
“It’s just absolutely traumatic, I think, for the family involved, for everyone.
“I think that’s the stressful thing, that it happened at peak family time between 6pm and 7pm, when people were probably cooking for their kids and getting their kids ready for bed, and all of us in a tight little road, completely unaware of the trauma and tragic circumstances that other people were going through at that particular time.”
East of England Ambulance Service confirmed three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, the Hazardous Area Response Team and two air ambulances were sent to the scene.
Louise Nicolas, Alan Matthews and Paul Richards, who are local councillors for the area, paid tribute to the women.
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.”