Woking murder investigation: Three sought over death of girl, 10, have left the country, police say
Three people sought by police over the death of a 10-year-old girl are believed to have left the country.
The youngster was found dead in a semi-detached property in the quiet village of Horsell, near Woking, Surrey, in the early hours of Thursday after police were alerted to a concern for safety.
Detectives have identified three people they want to speak to as part of their enquiries.
They are believed to have left the country on Wednesday, Surrey Police say.
Local families left flowers at the scene
Senior investigating officer, detective chief inspector Debbie White, said: “Our investigation into this tragic incident has continued at pace today with a number of enquiries under way.
“We have identified three people we would like to speak to in connection with our investigation and from our enquiries, we believe that they left the country on Wednesday, 9 August. We are working with our partners, including international authorities, to locate them.
“Officers have been in the local area today carrying out house to house enquiries and we expect a police presence to remain around the scene over the coming week.”
People left tributes to the girl
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Neighbours said that a Pakistani family with six “very young” children had moved into the house in April.
Local families laid flowers outside the property on Friday. Some were left with written tributes, including: “Sweet girl, I’m so sorry that your sparkle was put out too soon.”
One mother, who did no want to be named, said she was “traumatised” by the girl’s death and that her children were “terrified”.
“It’s just a shock. My 16-year-old daughter was very upset thinking about that little girl,” she said.
Inspector Sandra Carlier, borough commander for Woking, said: “I know that the community are shocked and saddened by yesterday’s events, and we stand with them in their grief. Officers will remain in the area carrying out patrols, and enquiries as part of the investigation, over the weekend.
“I would like to reiterate that we do not believe there to be any risk to the wider public at this time. We will continue to provide updates as and when we are able to.”
A post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
UK
Immigration: More people believe it has a negative impact on society than positive, poll suggests
More people in the UK think immigration has a negative impact on society compared to a positive one, according to a new survey carried out by YouGov exclusively for Sky News.
Across the UK, 43% of people asked thought that immigration has a negative impact on British society, compared to 35% who said it has a positive impact.
While the results varied according to location, only in London and in Scotland were people more likely to say that immigration has a positive impact.
And there were clear divides between age groups: 54% of 18 to 24-year-olds think immigration has a positive effect. But among those aged 65 and up, 58% think the impact of immigration on society is negative.
There was a more mixed view on the economic benefits of immigration, with the results pretty even: 39% of respondents thought immigration has a positive impact on the economy, with 37% saying the impact was negative.
But the poll identified a clear gender split, with only 34% of women saying that immigration has had a positive economic impact, compared with 43% of men.
Respondents also thought that cutting immigration would have a negative impact on the NHS, hospitality, universities and social care, but a positive effect on housing.
The survey also revealed deep political distrust among the public, with 52% saying they think Labour are not telling the truth about what they think on immigration, and 49% saying the same thing about the Conservatives. Every region and demographic distrusted the main two parties on this point.
And people by a large margin believed that governments – from whatever party – could cut immigration if they really wanted but that it would have negative consequences they don’t want to face.
Reform UK is the only party people think are telling the truth on immigration: 60% agreed that the party was saying what it genuinely thought.
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Nor do people trust the main two parties to follow through on their promises. People thought that immigration would increase under both a Labour and a Conservative government – despite believing that their policies aim to reduce it.
People overwhelmingly think war, poverty and gangs are mainly responsible for increases in immigration – compared to just 1% who think climate change is the main cause, or 4% who think Brexit is.
UK
‘Over my cold, dead corpse’: Ruth Davidson says Conservatives would be ‘imbecilic’ to let in Farage
Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson says allowing Nigel Farage to join the Conservatives would be “imbecilic” and would only happen “over my cold, dead corpse”.
The Reform UK leader used the launch of his party’s policy document to set out his pitch to “become a real opposition” to Labour, which will form the next government after the general election, according to the polls.
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Mr Farage said he had no intention of joining the Tories if he wins a seat in the constituency of Clacton in Essex on 4 July but refused to categorically rule out his future membership.
Speaking on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast with Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, ex-Labour adviser Ayesha Hazarika said she believes he will win and cross the floor and join the Conservatives.
“I think he’s going to do a bit of a Trump,” she said, arguing he will take over the Tories in the same way Donald Trump did to the Republican Party.
But Baroness Davidson said there will be a “big fight” between members over whether to allow Mr Farage to join.
“I was going to say over my cold, dead corpse,” she said.
“I think the party would be absolutely imbecilic to let somebody who has stood against the party… who’s stated aim is to destroy the Conservative Party… to let them in, in order to mount a full takeover and be this kind of parasitic worm that takes over its host.
“No, no. I think there’ll be a lot of Tories that actually decide to stand and fight.”
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Will Nigel Farage join the Tories?
Baroness Davidson said she thinks the Conservatives would become more right wing if they lose the general election and “there will be a fight for the soul of the Tory party”.
“I think there will be a lot of people that realise that perhaps their wing isn’t in the ascendancy, but there are extinction events,” she said.
“And something like Nigel Farage taking over might be an extinction event and it’s worth fighting for.”
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The other candidates standing in Clacton are:
• Matthew Bensilum, Liberal Democrats
• Craig Jamieson, Climate Party
• Tony Mack, Independent
• Natasha Osben, Green Party
• Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, Labour Party
• Tasos Papanastasiou, Heritage Party
• Andrew Pemberton, UKIP
• Giles Watling, Conservative Party
UK
‘Brazen and fearless’: Handguns hidden in children’s underwear drawer among hundreds of firearms seized in London
Three handguns hidden in a children’s underwear drawer were among 386 illegal firearms seized across London last year.
The Metropolitan Police says its blitz has led to a record drop in gun crime, which is at its lowest level in 15 years.
Firearms offences have been cut from 196 to 145 since March 2023, while shooting murders are down from 12 in 2021/22 to eight in 2023/24.
But despite the highest detection rate for 11 years – some 52% of criminals responsible for shootings were prosecuted last year – the force is still failing to solve almost half.
No arrests have been made after a drive-by shooting in Dalston, east London, last month left four people injured, including a nine-year-old girl, who remains in critical condition in hospital.
A nine-year-old girl was shot in Dalston. Pic: Simon Robinson
Commander Paul Brogden said the majority of shootings in the capital involve gangs but “wholly innocent victims” like her can “be caught in the crossfire”.
Tyrese Miller, 22, was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity on 4 April last year while he was on his way home after a night out with friends in Croydon, south London. Three men were later convicted in connection with the shooting.
“I worry that if this can happen to Tyrese, it can happen to anyone,” his mother, Jackie Taylor, said.
“No mother should have to bury their son like I have. What happened to Tyrese has changed all of us. None of us will ever really come to terms with what has happened.”
Tyrese Miller shot dead in case of mistaken identity. Pic: Met Police
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Police say that while “not as easy as ordering a pizza”, those involved in criminal networks are able to readily access firearms to control drugs markets and territory or enforce debts.
Some of the weapons are smuggled into the country by ferry or the mail system, but gang members are increasingly relying on converted blank-firing guns.
They are sold for legitimate pursuits such as drama and farming for as little as £100 but sold on for thousands of pounds once converted to fire real bullets.
A seized shotgun. Pic: PA
Seized guns. Pic: PA
A total of 386 illegal firearms were seized by the Met last year, with 46% of the pistols converted from blank-firing guns, while 3D-printed weapons are yet to make a real impact on London’s streets.
Police say the “brazen and fearless” possession of lethal weapons was demonstrated by Danny Butler, the 44-year-old armourer to a south London gang.
He was jailed for 18 years after officers found six guns, as well as a large amount of ammunition and Class A and B drugs, at the home he shared with his wife and three daughters – including an 18-month-old.
Danny Butler, 44, was jailed for 18 years. Pic: Met Police
Six firearms were found at Danny Butler’s family home. Pic: Met Police
Three handguns, one of which was loaded, were among the weapons discovered in his children’s underwear drawer.
Another pistol and a pump action sawn-off shotgun were found in his wardrobe, while a second sawn-off shotgun was discovered in the coat cupboard.
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The Met says victims of gang shootings are often reluctant to engage with police, looking to take their own retribution, and that “today’s victim could be tomorrow’s suspect”.
“Guns destroy lives and communities. The recent shootings in parts of London are a sad reminder that there is still work for us to do when it comes to cracking down on illegal firearms,” said Commander Brogden.
“Our progress should serve as a message to criminals and gang members using firearms – we will come after you, and we will bring you to justice.”
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