Christmas Day horror as two women aged 24 and 38 are knifed to death and man and teenage boy are seriously injured in stabbing attack

Two women, aged 38 and 24, have died and a man and a teenage boy suffered serious injuries following reports of a stabbing in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, on Christmas Day.

A 49-year-old man from Milton Keynes was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in police custody, Thames Valley Police said.

Officers were called to a block of apartments in Santa Cruz Avenue at just after 6.30pm.

The two women died at the scene, while the man and teenage boy are in a stable condition in hospital.

A dog also injured in the incident was taken to vets but did not survive.

A 49-year-old man from Milton Keynes, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, remains in police custody.

‘It’s mortifying. I heard all the ambulances last night but you don’t expect anything like this to happen around here. And on Christmas day of all days,’ a neighbour told the Sun. 

Another told the newspaper that emergency services were working on one of the victims in the street, while others were covered with white tarp.  

The neighbours reportedly claimed to have seen blood splattered on the front door of the home in the block of apartments.

One woman, who lives near the apartment block but asked not to be named, said: ‘There were police swarming everywhere. After the emergency services were called I was told that the man who did the stabbing was on the loose and running around the estate. I heard people saying “there’s a murderer on the run”.

‘This is a very close-knit family-style estate where a lot of people all know each other. It is quieter than some of the other areas of Milton Keynes.

‘What has happened in terrible. I cannot begin to fathom out what could have caused such a horrendous thing on Christmas day. We are all devastated to hear what has happened to those poor people.’

Another neighbour, a man who also asked to remain anonymous, said: ‘I saw the family’s pet dog running around outside the flats. The poor animal was dripping with blood where it had obviously also been stabbed.

‘I know that the police rushed it to a vet but I have since heard it died before anyone could do anything to save it’s life.

‘The police were knocking on all the doors last night and again today. An officer who called on her would not say anything about what had gone on in the apartment. All he would say was that it was a ‘one-off incident and that there was no wider risk to us.

‘I have heard that the flat may have been in multiple occupancy – there at least four people there when this happened. It is just so shocking.’

A family could be seen leaving flowers outside the police cordon in Bletchley.

The group attached two bouquets and a grey teddy bear wearing a Santa Claus outfit to the railings surrounding a children’s play area on Santa Cruz Avenue.

A woman in the group told the PA news agency she did not know the victims and said: “This is a lovely area. You don’t expect to see this kind of thing here.”

The next of kin of both victims have been informed and are being supported by officers. The victims are yet to be formally identified.

A large cordon was in place around an address in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, where two women died and two males were seriously injured in a suspected stabbing.

A forensics team could be seen entering and walking up the stairs in a block of flats on Santa Cruz Avenue.

Numbered yellow evidence markers and first aid kits could be seen on the road and pavement outside the address, and on the boot of a car parked on the adjoining Trinidad Grove.

Conservative councillor in Milton Keynes, Shazna Muzammil, said about the horrifying incident: ‘We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events in Bletchley on Christmas Day. 

‘Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and neighbours of the two women who have tragically lost their lives.’

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwin, of the Major Crime Unit, said: ‘Firstly I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the women who have tragically died in this shocking incident.

‘We have launched a double murder investigation, which may be concerning to the wider public; however, we have made an arrest and are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident and the parties are known to each other. 

‘Members of the public will see a large police presence in the area while our investigation takes place. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to approach our officers and they will do their best to help.

‘Anyone with information or footage which you think could help our investigation, please call us on 101, quoting reference number 43240622935.

‘Alternatively, you can make a report online, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’