Little Gaddesden neighbours have described the moment when armed police descended on their sleepy village after a murder yesterday afternoon.
They spoke to the Gazette after officers found a man in his 60s dead at a home in Nettleden Road, which connects the rural community to nearby Berkhamsted, at about 3.30pm on Saturday.
A second man, in his 80s, was taken to hospital from the address with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
Villager Ben Dilks, 25, said: “There were maybe 10 to 15 police cars, armed police, a police helicopter, forensic teams, and the whole of the green going through Little Gaddesden was blocked off – nobody allowed in.”
The small green lies between a row of houses on Nettleden Road and the main street itself.
Thom Power, who also lives in Little Gaddesden, said: “At about 9pm there was police tape across the road and I couldn’t get past. A policeman was there and I asked him what happened. He said: ‘All I can say is an incident has occurred.’”
Police have released an image of 55-year-old Ian John McLoughlin - also known as Ian John Baker - who they say they want to talk to in connection with what happened.
He is described as a white man of average build, about 6ft tall, with straight, greying collar-length hair. He was wearing a short-sleeve grey or military green T-shirt at the time of the murder.
Police say he should not be approached, and anyone who sees him should phone 999 immediately.
Anyone who can assist the police investigation should phone the non-emergency number 101 quoting Operation Acari, or the Major Crime Unit Incident Desk on 01707 355959. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
{http://www.berkhamstedtoday.co.uk/news/breaking-news-police-release-picture-of-man-they-want-to-talk-to-after-murder-in-little-gaddesden-1-5283692|For the image of McLoughlin, and to read our original story, click here}