Two women and dog knifed to death in Christmas Day attack

Two women have died following a stabbing on Christmas Day in which a man and a teenage boy also suffered serious injuries.

Police said a 49-year-old Milton Keynes man arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder remained in custody overnight.

Officers were called to a block of flats in Santa Cruz Avenue, Bletchley near Milton Keynes shortly after 6.30pm on Christmas Day.

The women, aged 38 and 24, died at the scene, while the man and the teenager were in a “stable condition” in hospital as of last night.

A dog injured in the incident was taken to a vet, but did not survive.

One neighbour said yesterday: “It’s mortifying. You don’t expect anything like this to happen around here. And on Christmas Day of all days.”

Another told The Sun that emergency service workers were seen treating one of the victims in the street, while others were covered with white tarpaulin.

Witnesses reportedly claimed to have seen blood splattered on the front door of a flat.

One woman, who lives near the apartments on Santa Cruz Avenue, Bletchley, said: “There were police everywhere. I was told the man who did the stabbing was on the loose.”

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, added: “I can’t begin to fathom what could have caused such a horrendous thing on Christmas Day. We are all devastated.”

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

The next of kin of both victims have been informed.

A cordon was in place yesterday as forensic teams worked at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwin said police were “not looking for anyone else” and “the parties are known to each other”.

“Firstly I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the women who have tragically died in this shocking incident.