An 80-year-old woman remains in critical condition in hospital after being deliberately set on fire outside her flat in Watford, prompting a manhunt for the suspect and an attempted murder investigation.
Brenda Raymond was returning home when she was set alight in the first-floor communal area of her block in Caractacus Cottage View. Emergency services were called at around 12.47pm on Monday, November 9, following reports of a woman on fire. She sustained life-threatening injuries and is now in a critical condition in hospital.
Police appeal for witnesses
Detectives believe Raymond was deliberately attacked and that an accelerant may have been used before she was set alight. Evidence from the scene has also indicated that a flammable liquid may have been poured through the letterbox of another property.
Detective Inspector Adam Bridges, from the Major Crime Unit, said: “This was an appalling and deeply distressing attack on an elderly woman who suffered horrific injuries after being set alight outside her own home.”
He added: “Our thoughts very much remain with Brenda and her family as we continue to do everything we can to find out what happened and who is responsible.”
Family releases name and photograph
Raymond’s family have released her name and photograph to help jog people’s memories around the incident. Bridges said the family are “understandably distraught” and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“Someone out there knows something. You may have witnessed suspicious activity, heard a conversation, noticed unusual behaviour, or captured something on CCTV or dash cam footage without realising its significance,” he said.
He also reassured local residents that specialist officers are working hard to find out what happened.
Investigators seek specific sightings
Police are keen to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in or around Caractacus Cottage View between 10am and 2pm on November 9, saw anyone wearing a face covering, balaclava or mask, or saw anyone running from the scene towards nearby woodland or footpaths.
They also want to hear from anyone with dashcam, CCTV, doorbell camera or other video footage covering the area, anyone who heard screams or shouting before emergency services were called, and anyone aware of a purchase of flammable liquid on the day of or shortly before the incident.
Information can be reported via a dedicated online portal, by speaking to an operator in the Force Communications Room via online web chat, or by calling the non-emergency number 101, quoting Operation Tibbin. Alternatively, people can stay anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its untraceable online form.
