Police chiefs called for urgent action to stop crossbows getting into the wrong hands two months before the shocking murders of three women with one of the weapons, but the former Tory government ignored their plea.
Last week the Sunday Express kicked off our Crackdown on Crossbows campaign calling for tough new restrictions on the sale of the lethal weapons with a special investigation.
It revealed that anyone over the age of 18 could purchase a lethal crossbow online for as little as £50, simply by sending in a photo of their passport or driving license, with no further checks carried out. The weapon was later delivered to a reporter's door.
It led to calls for a new licensing system, similar to that used for registered firearms, to be introduced to prevent them getting into the wrong hands.
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), made up of chief constables from forces across the country, has now confirmed that in May it submitted a response to a Home Office consultation about possible new restrictions on the sale and ownership of the deadly weapons, but there was no response from the Government before it called the General Election.
It would have effectively banned anyone who the police had concerns about, such as those involved in violence, from buying and owning the weapons.
About two months later, and within two days of our report being published, three women were murdered in their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in a crossbow attack, leading to a manhunt for suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, who was cornered by police in Enfield. on Tuesday just after 7pm.
He was hospitalized with suspected self-inflicted injuries, before being arrested on Thursday.
The victims were named as Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of Sky Sports presenter and BBC racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
They were found critically injured by emergency services but could not be saved.
Louise is understood to have called off a relationship with Clifford about a week earlier.
An NPCC spokeswoman said: “In May the NPCC submitted a paper to the Home Office in response to a call for evidence in
relation to the ownership and distribution of crossbows.
“We made a broad recommendation that crossbows should be regulated in a way that is similar to firearms licensing.
“We also recommend that any future licensing should include requirements around storage to ensure only the registered license holder can access the crossbows.”
Former Met Police DCI Dave McKelvey, who concluded the crossbow we bought would be lethal in the wrong hands, said: “It is unbelievable that within two days of your report being published that this tragedy unfolded and highlights even more how important these restrictions are brought in.
“To hear that the former government was asked to do something about this two months ago, but ignored it, is a concern.”
Today, Mr Hunt said the “devastation” he has experienced after his wife and two of their daughters were shot dead with a crossbow “cannot be put into words”.
The three women were still alive when paramedics arrived but could not be saved.
In an emotional tribute yesterday, Mr Hunt, a BBC Radio 5 Live racing commentator, said: “The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words.
“We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days. These have provided
great comfort to us for which we are very grateful.”
In a further statement read to Sky Sports Racing viewers by his colleague Matt Chapman, Mr Hunt added: “Despite the horrid evil that's swept through our lives, reeking devastation on an unimaginable scale… Amy, my eldest daughter, has been magnificently inspirational. with her control and support for me, which I am trying, trying so hard, to replicate.
“Every message has felt so important, the same as a reassuring hug.
“We know people are worried about us, we will get through this. Sending love to everyone, John.”
Simon Foster and Matthew Barber, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners joint leads on serious violence, said: “This
Week's shocking and tragic events serve to remind us of the terrible harm that can result from malignant and wrongful use of a crossbow.
“The public must be protected and the government has now said it is looking at the evidence regarding the possible need for tighter regulations around the sale of crossbows.
“We call on them to consider with urgency what controls can be put in place to ensure these powerful weapons can no longer be purchased easily in person or online by those who would use them to commit harm to others, in line with licensing for other offensive weapons.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “We keep legislation under constant review and a call for evidence was launched earlier this year to look at whether further controls on crossbows should be introduced.
“The Home Secretary will swiftly consider the findings to see if laws need to be tightened further.”
A Tory spokesperson said: “The Conservative Government published proposals on crossbow regulation in February 2024.
“The awful events in Bushey reinforce the need to consider tighter controls, and Labor Ministers now need to build on the actions of the Conservative Government.”