Woman arrested on suspicion of murder after two children found dead in Stafford

Police were called to a home on Corporation Street at around 7.30am today (Sunday) by the West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Two children were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 43-year-old woman from the Stafford area has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

The children's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

A cordon is currently in place outside the home on Corporation Street, near St George's Hospital. Staffordshire Police forensics officers remain on the scene with uniformed officers and the road has been closed to through traffic around the crime scene.

Detective Inspector Kirsty Oldfield from Staffordshire Police said: “We are working hard to understand more about what happened leading up to these two children tragically losing their lives.

“We ask that people do not speculate at this stage as it is distressing for family and friends and could hinder our enquiries.

“We understand that this incident may cause concern in the local community. There is no threat to the wider public.

"Anyone with any information that could help us with our investigation is asked to get in touch by calling 101, or via Live Chat on our website, quoting incident number 147 of October 12."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival of ambulance staff we discovered two patients, both children.

“Sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save them and they were confirmed dead at the scene.”

Matt Stoney, who lives 10 doors away from the home, told the Express & Star: "The police were all over the place at 8am and I went out to see what was going on.

"My brother is a police officer and I phoned him but he said not to speculate and let the police do their job.

"I don't really do social media or speculation, all I know is that the whole thing is a shock and my heart goes out to the deceased."

A resident who lives further down the road said she woke up to police activity and flashing blue lights.

She told the Express & Star: "I have read on social media what has happened. It is awful for something like that to happen here or anywhere but it is normally fairly quiet, at least at this end of the street as it is a long road."

A man who lives on the street, Luke Browne, said he saw a forensic van and a police car parked up as he left for work this morning.

The 61-year-old book shop owner said “children dying is a horror”.

He said: “It’s very sad. Children dying is a horror.

“It’s quite painful to hear it.”

He added: “I’ve only lived there a year but everybody I’ve met has been lovely.”

The force has not yet confirmed the ages of the children.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.