Milton Keynes: Candlelit vigil held for girl killed in dog attack

A dog attack that killed a four-year-old girl in Milton Keynes was a "tragic isolated incident" involving a family pet, police have confirmed.

Officers attended a house on Broadlands in Netherfield at 17:00 GMT on Tuesday after reports a dog had attacked a child in a back garden.

The victim has been named locally as Alice Stones, but she has not been formally identified.

Thames Valley Police said no arrests had been made.

Officers are also working to establish the breed of the dog, which was "humanely destroyed".

A candlelit vigil was held for the four-year-old at Grand Union Vineyard Church near to the house on Wednesday evening.

Prayers were said for the family and music was played over speakers, including Amazing Grace and Over The Rainbow.

Donna Fuller, a councillor for Woughton Community Council, said the area had a "tight-knit community, predominantly families".

She said the vigil was to "enable the community to come together and draw strength from each other".

The councillor told gathered crowds: "This family will need the time and space to allow them to process this tragic event and I hope that we can do that and help them in the future.

"I would ask that we support each other.

"There is a feeling of deep sadness that we will feel as a community so I ask you to be neighbourly and I ask you to be supportive and most of all I ask you to be kind."

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, Supt Marc Tarbit said: "An investigation is currently under way to fully understand the circumstances, but we believe this was a tragic isolated incident and there is no threat to the wider community.

"Accordingly, no arrests have been made at this time.

"I can confirm that the dog was a family pet and it was put down by police at the scene yesterday evening."

Supt Tarbit said there would be a stronger police presence locally over the coming days.

"This is clearly an incident that has shocked and upset people, and I urge residents to speak to officers with any questions or concerns they may have," he said.

"I'd also like to ask the community for their support in not speculating about this matter and offer reassurance that our detectives are working hard to progress the investigation."

Rishi Sunak expressed his condolences to the family during Prime Minister's Questions and thanked the emergency services for responding "rapidly and professionally".

Local residents have spoken of their shock at the news of the four-year-old's death.

Neighbour Rita Matthews, 36, said she would see the youngster while walking her own daughter to school and described her as a "happy little girl".

"It's so sad we're not going to see the girl again and I pray all the best to her mum to get her strength back," she said.

Mr Morley said the church would be open all day to allow locals time for "quiet reflection".

"Our hearts are really for the family, but we realise a tragedy like this cuts to the heart of the community here in Netherfield," he said.

"It's just being available to people, if people need to talk, and to be around.

"The Netherfield community, and I've seen it over the years I've been here, whether it was the flood of 2018 or the stabbing of that young lad last year, always seems to draw together."

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk