Crossbow attack suspect in critical condition, police report

THE suspect in a crossbow attack in which three women were killed is in a serious condition in hospital in London, UK police said.

Kyle Clifford, 26, was detained late Wednesday (10) after a day-long manhunt in connection with the deaths of the wife and two daughters of a BBC radio racing commentator in the town of Bushey, north of London.

A crossbow had been recovered, local police said.

Clifford was receiving medical treatment and was "in a serious condition and is yet to speak with officers", police said, confirming that officers had not had any previous reports about him by the victims.

The victims were Carol Hunt, the 61-year-old wife of BBC radio and Sky Sports racing commentator John Hunt, and their two daughters, Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, the broadcasters said.

In a previous statement, police said Clifford, who was found by officers in Enfield in north London where he is from, "was known to the victims" and no additional suspects were being sought.

Detective superintendent Rob Hall called it an "unprecedented attack", adding the police were "determined to understand the full circumstances of what happened that evening and the events leading up to it".

There is no licence required to own a crossbow in the UK, but it is illegal to carry one in public without a reasonable excuse.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said legislation was "under constant review and a call for evidence was launched earlier this year to look at whether further controls on crossbows should be introduced".

She said the home secretary Yvette Cooper would "swiftly consider the findings to see if laws need to be tightened further".

(AFP)