A woman in her 80s is in a critical condition in hospital after being found on fire in a block of flats in Watford. Hertfordshire Police have launched an attempted murder investigation and are appealing for witnesses.
Incident details
The woman was discovered in a first-floor communal area of a building in Caractacus Cottage View at 12.47pm on November 9. She suffered significant injuries and remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Investigation and appeal
Detective Inspector Adam Bridges, from the Major Crime Unit, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts remain with the woman and her family, who are being supported by specially trained officers during this extremely distressing time.
“Detectives are currently working at pace to establish how the woman came to sustain her injuries and are currently treating the incident as attempted murder.
“We’re asking anyone with information which may assist us to please come forward.
“Did you witness any suspicious activity around the time or see anyone leaving the area?
“We’re also keen to hear from anyone who may have captured any dash cam or CCTV footage from the vicinity.
“If you have any information at all, please contact us straightaway.
“We appreciate the incident will also have an impact on the wider community. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to approach officers in the area.”
How to report information
Information can be reported online at herts.police.uk/report, through the Hertfordshire Police Force Communications Room online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact, or by calling the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference ISR 305 of 9 November, 2026.
Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
