A man police were seeking over the alleged murder of a woman as she pushed her baby in a pram has been arrested after a four-day manhunt.
Habibur Masum, 25, was wanted on suspicion of fatally stabbing Kulsuma Akter, 27, as she shopped with her friend in Bradford city centre on Saturday.
Police raided properties across the north-west of England on Monday before Masum was eventually apprehended 140 miles away in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
West Yorkshire police said the suspect was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday, bringing to an end a hunt that had involved forces from across the country. It is understood that officers from Bradford travelled to Oldham to inform Akter’s family of the development before it was made public.
Masum, a blogger originally from Bangladesh, was expected to arrive in West Yorkshire on Tuesday afternoon, where he will be questioned on suspicion of murder.
DCI Stacey Atkinson, from the force’s homicide and inquiry team, said: “This is a tragic incident in which a mother has lost her life in the most horrific of circumstances.
“We understand that this has caused a considerable amount of concern in the local community. Local neighbourhood policing teams are patrolling the area conducting reassurance to the community.
“We would like to thank Thames Valley police for their support and assistance in this matter.”
Akter, from Oldham, was fatally stabbed in the neck as she pushed her baby in a pram on a busy street in Bradford city centre.
Labour has called for an independent review in to the case. Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said such an inquiry should focus “not just at the police contact but also at any previous interactions with the criminal justice system, so that the findings and recommendations can be acted upon swiftly to prevent further tragic deaths”.
People have described how they rushed to try to save her after hearing screams outside the Westgate International food store shortly after 3pm on Saturday.
Akter was taken to hospital but died a short time later. Her baby was unharmed and a knife was found nearby.
The arrest came after police raided properties in Oldham, Burnley and Cheshire on Monday.
Outside one of the properties in Oldham on Tuesday morning, workers could be seen removing doors that appeared to have been broken down.
A 23-year-old man was also arrested in Cheshire on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Greater Manchester police and West Yorkshire police have referred themselves to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, after having previous contact with Akter.
Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This was a shocking incident and my thoughts and sympathies are with Kulsuma Akter’s family and loved ones.
“The suspect has now been arrested and I would like to thank everyone who shared the appeal and provided information to the police.
“I am being updated regularly by West Yorkshire police and will continue to monitor developments on their self-referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”
