Murder arrest after woman dies and child injured

A man has been arrested after a woman died and a two-year-old girl was seriously hurt at a property in Ashford, Surrey Police said.

Officers were called to Woodthorpe Road at 13:15 GMT on Thursday following a report of a concern for their safety.

A woman in her 20s and the girl were found at the address with "very serious injuries".

The woman was later pronounced dead at the scene and the child was taken to hospital for treatment, a police spokesperson said.

A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

He was taken to hospital on Thursday but is now in police custody, a police spokesperson said.

Police said that the victim and suspect were known to each other and they believed there to be no wider risk to the community.

An investigation, led by the Surrey and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, is under way and inquiries remain ongoing.

Det Ch Insp Kimball Edey said: "This investigation is in its early stages and a team of specialist officers are working around the clock to gather as much information as possible.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims at this unbelievably difficult time."

The force added that anyone with information should contact them or the charity Crimestoppers.

Local councillor Michelle Arnold said the incident took place within Imtech House.

She said: "A mother has lost her life, a child is in hospital with injuries and we are hoping and praying that she recovers."

She said she and the community were "in shock over this horrific incident".

"I personally haven't liaised with police but have been liaising with residents inside Imtech House reassuring them that everything's okay.

"Stay positive and please let the police do their work on the investigation," Ms Arnold said.

A small police presence remains on the scene.

Neighbours described hearing "screaming and shouting" before police arrived on the scene.

One neighbour said: "It was chaos. We heard screaming and shouting. It was definitely a woman.

Another said: "I saw a child being taken out and a man being arrested. There was a very large police presence and an air ambulance."

Lincoln Jopp, the MP for Spelthorne, said: "The community will be understandably concerned about recent events in Ashford.

"I, like I hope the community will, will continue to support police in their investigation."

Additional reporting by PA Media.

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