Westminster double murder: Victims named as police hunt continues

Clinton Ashmore and Sharon Pickles were fatally stabbed within hours of each other

Two people stabbed to death in Westminster have been named by police, who have launched a manhunt for 49-year-old Lee Peacock.

Sharon Pickles, 45, was pronounced dead at a home in Ashbridge Street at 21:30 BST on Thursday.

In the early hours of Friday, Clinton Ashmore, 59, was found stabbed at a property in nearby Jerome Crescent.

Police have released CCTV images of Mr Peacock at North Wembley Station on Thursday as part of their search.

Lee Peacock was captured on CCTV at North Wembley Station on Thursday evening

Both Ms Pickles and Mr Ashmore were stabbed in the neck.

The Met believe the two killings are linked and that Mr Peacock knew the victims.

Ms Pickles's body was found in a property in Ashbridge Street

Det Supt Luke Marks, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said officers "urgently" need to speak to Mr Peacock who they believe "could have important information about the deaths".

"At this early stage we are retaining an open mind concerning motive, but we are treating these crimes as linked," he said.

He added that a £20,000 reward had been offered for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for the killings.

Anyone who sees Mr Peacock has been asked to call 999.

"I would urge members of the public not to approach him, but instead to call police as soon as possible," Det Supt Marks said.

Police are looking for Lee Peacock in connection with the deaths