London
CNN
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People across the UK have paid tribute following the deaths of a BBC sports commentator’s wife and two daughters. killed The killings, carried out by a suspected crossbow attacker, have once again focused attention on the widespread violence. For women.
Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC horseracing commentator John Hunt, and her daughters Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, have died from wounds suffered in the attack in Bushey, north-west London, on Tuesday, police and the British broadcaster said.
A 26-year-old suspect wanted in connection with the murder, Kyle Clifford, was found by British police in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday after an extensive search. Hertfordshire Police said in a statement that no reports had been made to police about Clifford, who is in a serious condition in hospital and has not yet spoken to officers.
A crossbow was recovered as part of the investigation and police believe it was used in a “targeted incident”.
The killings of the three women have shocked Britain, where mass killings are rare but violence against women and girls is common. Officially labeled as a threat to the nation.
Every three days in the UK, a woman is killed by a man and one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, said Reem Al-Salem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls. I said earlier this year.
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Charities and human rights organisations have since renewed their urgent calls to tackle the issue of femicide in the UK.
“Male violence against women and girls is widespread.” Said SafeLives is a UK-based charity that works to end domestic violence. to add“Domestic violence is a major public health crisis and should be addressed with the same priority as terrorism.”
Refuge is a UK-based non-profit organisation that supports victims of domestic violence. Post to X“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt and their family and friends following this tragic incident in Bushey.”
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper attack “It’s absolutely shocking,” she said, adding that she was being “kept updated” by authorities.
The country’s new Labour government About the Manifesto To “tackle the scourge of violence against women and girls” in the UK, the bill includes a review of sentencing procedures and requiring police to target repeat offenders using tools used in counter-terrorism and serious organised crime investigations.
Many BBC journalists paid tribute to their colleague and there was an outpouring of grief across the organisation and the sporting world.
BBC Sport presenter Mark Chapman said: “John Hunt is a colleague and friend to not only the current 5 Live Sport team but to everyone who has worked with him here over the past 20 years.”
“On behalf of everyone at 5 Live Sport, our love, thoughts and support are with John and his family,” Chapman said live on air.
Dan Walker, presenter of the BBC programme Football Focus, said: Post to X “John Hunt is one of the best people ever and his life was torn apart yesterday.”
From the BBC
British sisters Hannah Hunt (left), 28, and Louise Hunt (right), 25, died from their injuries.
BBC cricket producer Tim Peach described Hunt as “one of the kindest and most caring people I have ever worked with.” “He’s unique in what he does,” Peach said. About X“But he’s always happiest talking about ‘My Carols’ and ‘My Daughters.'”
Former footballer and racehorse owner Michael Owen Posts After England’s European football championship victory, he wrote to X: “While the nation celebrates, please think of John Hunt. I haven’t felt so terrified for ages. Those poor girls. So horrible.”
British Horseracing Authority (BHA) It said in a statement The BHA extends its heartfelt sympathies to Mr Hunt, his family and friends. “It is impossible to comprehend the horror inflicted on them by this horrific incident,” said BHA chief executive Julie Harrington.
Ascot Racecourse, one of the UK’s most famous racecourses, echoed the BHA’s words, saying: Posted “Our thoughts are with John Hunt at this tragic time.”
The strictness of crossbow laws in the UK was highlighted last year when a British man Imprisoned He was arrested in 2021 on suspicion of plotting to break into Windsor Castle and use the weapon to assassinate the late Queen Elizabeth II.
At that time, the former Conservative government 8 Week Review Regarding the possibility of introducing regulations and a licensing system.
In the UK, it is legal to buy and own a crossbow if you are over 18, but possessing one in a public place without a valid reason can result in prison.
Crossbow attacks are rare in the UK, with fewer than 10 crossbow murders between 2011 and 2021, according to the government.
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The UK Home Secretary is currently reviewing the country’s crossbow laws, according to his colleague Dan Jarvis, the security secretary.
“We are struck by the seriousness and importance of this,” Jarvis told the BBC in an interview. Today’s Program He added on Thursday that the new government has a “manifesto commitment” to halve violence against women and girls in the UK over 10 years.
“We will make a decision as soon as possible on whether there is a need to amend the existing legislative framework,” he added.
This story has been updated with additional information.
