The scene in Bedfont, Hounslow, where a three-year-old boy and a girl, 11, are among four people who have been found dead in a flat in west London. PA
The scene in Bedfont, Hounslow, where a three-year-old boy and a girl, 11, are among four people who have been found dead in a flat in west London. PA
The scene in Bedfont, Hounslow, where a three-year-old boy and a girl, 11, are among four people who have been found dead in a flat in west London. PA
The scene in Bedfont, Hounslow, where a three-year-old boy and a girl, 11, are among four people who have been found dead in a flat in west London. PA

Children aged three and 11 among four people found dead in London flat


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

The bodies of four people, including a three-year-old boy and a girl aged 11, have been found at a flat in London.

Metropolitan Police were called to an address in Hounslow just after 3pm on Friday about concerns for occupants of a house in Staines Road, Bedfont, in the west of the English capital.

Officers forced their way in and found four bodies.

They are thought to be a man and a woman, aged in their 30s, an 11-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy, who were all believed to be related.

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, local policing commander in west London, said that based on initial inquiries, officers are not currently seeking anybody else in connection with the incident.

One police officer was standing outside the property on Saturday morning.

A man who lives next door, who did not wish to be named, told reporters: “They were just normal neighbours – we just had greetings here and there, that kind of stuff.

“I came home from work and there were police everywhere. It was really busy. Nothing like that happens here.

“I have no idea what happened.”

Police at the scene in Bedfont, Hounslow. PA
Police at the scene in Bedfont, Hounslow. PA

Mr Wilson said specialist officers were working to establish what happened and would provide further information as soon as they can.

“I am also aware that this incident will be particularly upsetting for children, and I ask people to please be responsible about what they post on social media, including not naming or speculating as to the names of those who've died.”

He urged anyone with information or concerns to speak to police.

Local MP Seema Malhotra tweeted: “Everyone will be devastated by news that two adults and two children have found dead in their home in Bedfont. Specialist investigations are continuing our thoughts are with their family. If you have any information please do get in touch with the police.”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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if you go
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net

Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.

Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.

A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.

Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.

How to improve Arabic reading in early years

One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient

The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers

Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades

Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic

First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations

Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades

Improve the appearance of textbooks

Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings

Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught

Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar

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Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

Prop idols

Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.

Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)

An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.

----

Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)

Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.

----

Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)

Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.

MATCH INFO

Aston Villa 1 (Konsa 63')

Sheffield United 0

Red card: Jon Egan (Sheffield United)

 

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Updated: June 17, 2023, 1:28 PM