Police recover firearm after three people are killed in Luton

UPDATE (18:16): Bedfordshire Police said officers have recovered a firearm from Bramingham Road, adding that the force believed all those involved in the incident were "known to each other".

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three people died in a flat in Luton this morning.

Officers were called at around 5.30am to reports of concerns for welfare at a property in Leabank, off Wauluds Bank Drive.

Emergency services attended and three people were found with injuries, but all died at the scene, Bedfordshire Police said.

An 18-year-old man was arrested in Bramingham Road a short time later and remains in custody for questioning.

The force said it believed there is no threat to the wider community, and Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy said that "at this stage we are not looking for anybody else".

He said searches in the area had resulted in the "recovery of a weapon".

Mr Murphy said the three people found "had been very badly injured" and "were subsequently pronounced dead at the scene".

An investigation is being led by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit.

Detective Superintendent Rob Hall said: "This is a truly appalling incident which has sadly resulted in the tragic deaths of three people. We understand this news will be incredibly shocking, but please be assured we will work tirelessly to establish the full circumstances surrounding these deaths.

"One man has been arrested in connection with the incident and we do not believe there is any threat to the wider community.

"However, we appreciate people will be concerned, so there will be an increased presence of community police officers in and around the area today and over the coming days to answer questions and provide reassurance."

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting Operation Longacre.

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