An 80-year-old woman remains in a critical condition in hospital after being deliberately set on fire outside her flat in Watford. Police have named her as Brenda Raymond and launched an attempted murder investigation, with a manhunt under way for the attacker.

Mrs Raymond was returning home when she was set alight in the first-floor communal area of her block of flats in Caractacus Cottage View. Emergency services were called at around 12.47pm on Monday, 9 November, after reports of a woman on fire. She suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital, where she is being treated.

Detectives believe she was deliberately attacked and that an accelerant may have been used before she was set alight. Police also said a flammable liquid may have been poured through the letterbox of a nearby flat. The investigation is being run by the Major Crime Unit under the name Operation Tibbin.

Family releases photograph

Mrs Raymond's family have released her name and photograph to help jog people's memories around the incident. Detective Inspector Adam Bridges, from the Major Crime Unit, described the attack as appalling and deeply distressing, and said Mrs Raymond had suffered horrific injuries outside her own home.

He said the family's thoughts remained with Mrs Raymond, who is being supported by specially trained officers, and that detectives were doing everything they could to find out what happened and who was responsible. He added that the family were understandably distraught.

Police appeal for witnesses

Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in or around Caractacus Cottage View between 10am and 2pm on Monday, 9 November. They are particularly interested in anyone who saw a person wearing a face covering, balaclava or mask, or anyone running from the scene towards nearby woodland or footpaths.

Police also want to hear from anyone who heard screams or shouting before emergency services were called, and from anyone with dashcam, CCTV or doorbell camera footage covering the area. Officers are also asking about purchases of flammable liquid on the day of the attack or shortly before it.

Detective Inspector Bridges said someone out there knows something, and urged anyone who witnessed suspicious activity, heard a conversation, noticed unusual behaviour or captured something on camera without realising its significance to come forward.

Information can be reported through the police online portal or web chat, or by calling the non-emergency number 101 and quoting Operation Tibbin. People can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through its online form.