New leads in double murder hunt

Police have launched a national manhunt for Mark Hobson

Police hunting the suspected killer of four people in Yorkshire are following "a constant stream of leads" after hundreds of calls from the public.

Mark Hobson, 34, is wanted in connection with the deaths of twin sisters in Camblesforth near Selby and an elderly couple in Strensall, York.

Early on Wednesday morning, armed police searched two houses in Selby.

Officers are also studying CCTV tapes from petrol stations and towns for any evidence of Mr Hobson's movements.

I know that in time one of these leads will lead us to Mark Hobson Det Supt Javad Ali

Det Supt Javad Ali of North Yorkshire Police told a news conference on Wednesday that detectives had also put taxi drivers in the region on alert for any possible sightings.

He said: "Mark Hobson remains at large - I don't yet know where he is.

"I know that in time one of these leads will lead us to Mark Hobson."

Mr Hobson is being sought following the deaths of 27-year-old twin sisters Claire and Diane Sanderson at their flat.

Police also believe he was involved in the deaths of James Britton, 80, and his 82-year-old wife Joan, found dead 25 miles away at their home in Strensall.

Detectives are still investigating if there is any link between the sisters and the elderly couple.

Armed raids

They disclosed that different weapons had been found at the two murder scenes and the probable murder weapon for the Camblesforth killings had been discovered.

Police also appeared to rule out that Mr Hobson may have fled abroad, saying that his passport had been accounted for.

Armed police investigating the murders raided two houses in Selby on Wednesday morning.

Officers reacting to a tip-off swooped on a property in New Millgate between 0330 BST and 0500 BST.

Shortly after 0500 BST a house in Abbots Road was searched. A number of people came out of the house.

Joan and James Britton had been viciously assaulted

Police also said they had arrested two women.

"We have not arrested anybody directly connected with the murders," said Det Supt Ali, "but we have arrested two women in matters related to the circumstances of the scenes."

Claire Sanderson was Mr Hobson's girlfriend. She and her sister were found dead on Sunday at about 0800 BST in a flat he had lived in for three months.

Detectives said Diane had been strangled after visiting her sister, who had suffered from a "violent assault".

The bodies of the Brittons were found in their house by a neighbour several hours after the twins were discovered.

Mr Britton had died from stab wounds and his wife had been the subject of a "vicious assault including stab wounds".

The couple's daughter, Catherine Wilkins, issued a statement through police saying her family had been left "very shocked and distressed" by their deaths.