British woman, 80, fighting for life after being 'set alight' outside block of flats

An 80-year-old woman is fighting for her life after allegedly being "set alight" in a horrific attack.

Brenda Raymond was found on fire on the first floor of a communal area of a block of flats in Caractacus Cottage View in Watford with life-threatening injuries on Monday, just before 12.50pm.

She was sustained life-threatening injuries, Hertfordshire Police said, and was rushed to hospital.

Ms Raymond remains in a critical condition.

Detectives from the force believe she was attacked and deliberately set on fire as she returned home.

They also believe flammable liquid was sprayed on her before she was set alight.

Evidence recovered at the scene indicated the accelerant was poured through the letterbox of a nearby property, Hertfordshire Police added.

The force is now appealing for witnesses.

Detective Inspector Adam Bridges, from the Major Crime Unit, said: "This was an appalling and deeply distressing attack on an elderly woman who suffered horrific injuries after being set alight outside her own home.

"Our thoughts very much remain with Brenda and her family as we continue to do everything we can to find out what happened and who is responsible.

"Her family are understandably distraught and have taken the step of releasing her name and photograph to help jog people’s memories around this distressing and highly unusual incident.

"Someone out there knows something. You may have witnessed suspicious activity, heard a conversation, noticed unusual behaviour, or captured something on CCTV or dash cam footage without realising its significance.

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"Please do not assume that what you know is too small or unimportant to tell us about. It could be a seemingly insignificant piece of information that provides investigators with the breakthrough they need.

"If you know anything about what happened to Brenda or think you may have information that could assist our enquiries, please come forward. Your information could be crucial in helping us find answers and bring those responsible to justice.

The force has released Ms Raymond's identity and picture with the support of her family to encourage potential witnesses to come forward.

He added that the circumstances around the incident could come as a "shock" to the community, but reassured residents that specialist officers were investigating.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who saw the following: someone acting suspiciously in or around Caractacus Cottage View between 10am and 2pm on Monday 9 November, someone wearing a face covering or balaclava in the area, anyone running from the scene, or anyone who heard screams before emergency services were called.

The force is also urging anyone with CCTV or doorbell camera footage to come forward, or who knows someone who bought flammable liquid on Monday, November 9.

Information can be given on Hertfordshire Police's online portal or on 101, quoting Operation Tibbin.