Counter-terror police have reopened an investigation into an attempted burglary that occurred last year at the London home of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe. The Metropolitan Police initially received a report of the incident in April 2025 but closed the investigation pending new lines of inquiry, with no arrests made at the time.
Counter Terrorism Policing London has now identified a previously unpursued line of inquiry that may be relevant to the case. This development has prompted a mandatory conduct referral to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which Counter Terrorism Policing London has stated it will engage with fully.
Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, confirmed that victims and families in both the burglary and murder investigations have been updated and are being supported. Evans emphasized the importance of providing this update due to significant public interest in the investigation into Widdecombe's death and urged the public and media to be mindful when sharing information not provided by the police.
Widdecombe was found dead on July 9 at her Dartmoor home, reportedly after being struck 21 times on the head with a hammer. Details of her death emerged during a court appearance for the man accused of her murder. Joshua Kerry, 28, is alleged to have entered Widdecombe's kitchen through an unlocked front door while armed with a hammer. Prosecutors described the attack as 'ferocious,' lasting two minutes, during which the victim was allegedly struck 21 times before her wallet was taken from her handbag.
The pathologist's provisional cause of death was a blunt force injury to the head, though a coroner had initially stated the cause was unascertained. The attack was reportedly captured on a kitchen camera, which recorded the alleged perpetrator's movements. Widdecombe's body was discovered the following day by a gardener after she failed to attend a scheduled interview.