Police have searched the house of a nurse who's been arrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting to murder another six.

Officers searched the home of Lucy Letby, 28, as part of an ongoing investigation of the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Officers are looking into the deaths of 17 infants and 15 non-fatal collapses between March 2015 and July 2016.

Police are believed to have arrived at Ms Letby's home at around 6am on Tuesday, setting up a forensics tent, and were also seen at her parents' property in Hereford.

In a 2013 interview with the Chester And District Standard, Ms Letby said she cared for babies requiring various levels of support and had worked at the neonatal unit since graduating.


She also featured in a campaign in the local paper to raise funds for the unit.

Image: An investigation was opened at the Countess of Chester Hospital last year

Detective inspector Paul Hughes, leading the operation, said that since the investigation began in May 2017, "a dedicated team of detectives have been working tirelessly on this case".

"This is a highly complex and very sensitive investigation and, as you can appreciate, we need to ensure we do everything we possibly can to try to establish in detail what has led to these baby deaths and collapses.

"When the investigation was first launched it was focusing on the deaths of 15 babies that occurred between the period of June 2015 and June 2016.

"In addition the investigation was also conducting a review of six non-fatal collapses during the same period."

The officer said the scope of the investigation had now "widened" to include the deaths of 17 babies and 15 non-fatal collapses between March 2015 and July 2016.

Image: The home of Lucy Letby was searched by police

Image: A forensics tent has been set up outside one home

"As a result of our ongoing enquiries we have today arrested a healthcare professional in connection with the investigation," said detective inspector Hughes.

"She was arrested earlier this morning on suspicion of murder in relation to eight of the babies and attempted murder in relation to six of the babies and is currently in custody.

"Whilst this is a significant step forward in our inquiries it is important to remember that the investigation is very much active and ongoing at this stage.

"There are no set timescales for this coming to a conclusion but we remain committed to carrying out a thorough investigation as soon as possible."

Countess of Chester Hospital medical director Ian Harvey said the hospital was continuing to support the ongoing police investigation.

The hospital had carried out several independent expert medical reviews into the deaths before alerting the police.

"Asking the police to look into this was not something we did lightly, but we need to do everything we can to understand what has happened here and get the answers we and the families so desperately want," Mr Harvey said in a statement.

"The Countess is now equivalent to a Level 1 Special Care Baby Unit and we are confident the unit is safe to continue in its current form."

Image: The police investigation was launched in May last year

Lawyers representing two babies who received treatment at the hospital said they were "hopeful" the investigation would provide answers to the families affected.

Following the arrest, Liverpool Women's Trust - which runs a neonatal unit in Liverpool - confirmed it was also cooperating with police in connection with the investigation.

A spokesperson said: "A healthcare worker currently involved in a police investigation undertook placements at Liverpool Women's during their training. We are cooperating with police as part of their investigation which includes a routine review of patients cared for on our neonatal unit during the time of these placements.

"There is currently no suggestion that any patients at Liverpool Women's came to any harm in relation to this investigation."

Detective inspector Hughes said the parents of all the babies are being kept fully updated and supported by specially trained officers while the investigation continues.

He added: "This is an extremely difficult time for all the families and it is important to remember that, at the heart of this, there are a number of bereaved families seeking answers as to what happened to their children."

:: Police are urging anyone with information to contact operation.hummingbird@cheshire.pnn.police.uk