Herts Police have asked the public not to speculate as they launched an “extensive investigation” into a two-year-old’s death.

There had been an ongoing police presence in Juniper Square, Hemel Hempstead, on Monday (April 15) after the force were first called to assist with a medical emergency, alongside the ambulance service, at 4.40pm the day before.

It was confirmed that a two-year-old had been taken to hospital for emergency treatment but died a short time later. A 29-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Update: A 29-year-old woman has been charged. Read our updated article here.

A Herts Police spokesperson acknowledged that the news “will be very distressing to the local community”.

“Colleagues from the Dacorum Community Safety Partnership have been informed and are supporting enquiries,” they added.

“An extensive investigation is under way to establish the circumstances around what happened.

“With this in mind, it's absolutely vital that people please refrain from speculating about what happened, to allow the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings to take place.

“Any commentary could have a serious detrimental impact.”

Residents reported seeing armed officers at the scene on Sunday, and Herts Police have explained that they were dispatched to provide specialist first aid equipment which they carry in their vehicles.

The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit is carrying out the investigation.