Shock as British nurse Lucy Letby is suspected of murdering eight babies at Chester hospital

A 28-year-old nurse is being questioned on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting to kill a further six at the Countess of Chester hospital.

Lucy Letby, from Chester, is understood to have been arrested by detectives investigating the suspicious deaths of as many as 17 babies in the hospital’s neonatal unit between March 2015 and July 2016.

Cheshire police would not confirm the name of the suspect, however children’s nurse Letby was identified by neighbours in Chester on Tuesday. Cheshire police said the woman was arrested that morning and taken into custody.

On Wednesday forensic investigators were seen working inside Letby’s house about 1.5km from the hospital. A blue tent remains on the driveway, while the neighbouring properties either side are still taped off. Two police community support officers were guarding the entrance to the property where Letby is thought to have lived for at least two years.

A neighbouring couple, who did not wish to be named, said they recognised Letby’s face in the newspaper and had seen her on their street. “We only knew her to say hello to, nothing more,” one said.