Brentwood: Two charged in connection with Pilgrims Hatch murder investigation

Anyone with information is asked to contact us as soon as possible.

We are asking residents to check any CCTV you have between 8am and 7pm on Sunday 7 June. 

If you have information, please get in touch through our dedicated public information sharing portal.

Two people have been charged with murder and four others arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into a fatal incident in Pilgrims Hatch.

We were called at 5.40pm on Sunday 7 June to reports of a vehicle colliding with a child on Ashwells Road.

Officers attended and found 12-year-old Bobby Bloomfield had sustained serious injuries.

Despite the best efforts of those involved in his care, he later died in hospital.

His family and loved ones continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

That evening, a 15-year-old boy and a 43-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of murder. Both have since been charged.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and William Lunnon, 43, of Ashwells Road, Pilgrims Hatch, have been remanded in custody and are due to appear before magistrates on Thursday 11 June.

Detectives from our Serious Crime Directorate are continuing to build a detailed picture of the circumstances surrounding this incident.

As part of this work, four more people were arrested on the afternoon of Tuesday 9 June.

Two men, aged 65 and 54, and two women, aged 65 and 45, all from Pilgrims Hatch, remain in custody on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Our investigation remains ongoing, and we continue to urge anyone with information to come forward.

Information can be submitted via our dedicated public portal.

Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood said:

“This remains a complex investigation, and we have made significant progress, including bringing charges and making further arrests.
“Our focus remains on establishing the full circumstances and supporting Bobby’s family, who have suffered an unimaginable loss.
“I continue to urge anyone with information to come forward. Even the smallest detail could help us build a clear and accurate picture of events.
“If you were in the area at the time, or have anything that could assist our investigation, please report it via the public portal.”

Two people who were arrested as part of our investigation into the death of 12-year-old boy in Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, remain in custody this morning, Tuesday 9 June.

We were called to the Ashwells Road area at 5.40pm on Sunday 7 June after a vehicle had collided with a boy, which resulted in very serious injuries.

Very sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, the boy died.

His family and loved ones are continuing to be supported.

Two people from the Pilgrims Hatch area, a boy aged 15 and a man aged 43, were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Their detention was extended overnight and this morning we have secured a magistrates’ warrant for further detention.

Detective chief inspector Greg Wood, who is overseeing the investigation, said:

"Our investigation team has been working around the clock as they continue to build a complete picture of the tragic incident on Sunday.
“This is not straightforward work and there are complexities involved which of course we cannot explore publicly at this stage.
“This work has included the review of a significant amount of CCTV and obtaining key evidence from those nearby.
“This work is key to ensuring we understand all aspects of the incident as we progress.”

Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, Brentwood district commander, added:

“We are acutely aware this incident is attracting commentary on social media. I would again like to urge the public to please respect a grieving family’s privacy at this terrible time.
“We are doing all we can to ensure they are supported both now and in the coming weeks and months.”

Two people have been arrested as part of our response to serious incident in Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood.

We were called to the Ashwells Road area at 5.40pm on Sunday 7 June.

It was reported that a vehicle had collided with a child and he had been injured.

Officers arrived and found the boy, aged 12, had sustained very serious injuries.

He was taken to hospital for immediate medical treatment. Very sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, he has since died.

His family and loved ones are being supported.

We have now launched a murder investigation and two people from the Pilgrims Hatch area, a boy aged 15 and a man aged 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Both remain in custody as our investigation progresses.

Ashwells Road is likely to remain closed in the immediate term and we would ask motorists to please find other routes.

An evolving investigation

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, of Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate, said:

“Our first thoughts are of course with the family of the boy who has tragically died after this incident.
“By its very nature, this is an evolving investigation which has a number of complexities and will take some time to work through and cannot be rushed.
“We’re working hard to build a full picture of the circumstances around it, and I’d like to thank those who have already come forward to provide their accounts of what happened.
“To residents who we have not yet spoken to, I would urge you to please review any CCTV you have from 8am on Sunday 7 June right through to 7pm and please get in touch through our dedicated public portal which has been set up for this incident.
“Although we remain in the early stages of this investigation, we are confident this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to the community.”

An ask for family’s privacy to be respected

Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, Brentwood district commander, added:

“I’m acutely aware that this incident is likely to have a significant impact in our community, and I know the investigation team is doing everything possible to fully understand the circumstances and progress this appropriately.
“The loss of a child is every parent’s nightmare, and I would ask that this family’s privacy is fully respected at this time, both in person and online.
“Our key local partners have also been updated on this incident.”