NEIGHBOURS in Morton Avenue spoke fondly of the woman and the two little girls.

One resident, who lived nearby and didn’t want to be named, said: “I used to see the mother walking with the two twins, who are absolutely adorable,” she said. “She would be taking them to playgroup or nursery.

“The girls are pretty little girls and she is a nice and friendly neighbour.”

Emma Cox, 20, of Morton Avenue, said: “My two-year-old daughter is friends with the two twins from playgroup.

“Everyone I have spoken to is very shocked. You don’t expect this round Kidlington.

“I heard sirens at 3am and then when I got up at 8am, the road was cordoned off.”

Jack Kuzminski, 31, was unable to return to his home in Morton Avenue after leaving to go to work at about 6am.

He said: “My wife ran home and said the police had told her to go back.

“The police told each house, don’t leave your house.

“I told them [my family] are safe. They were watching movies.”

“We looked out of the window and saw our neighbour so we jumped in our car and left as well.

He said the residential street was usually “so quiet”.

Karin Downs, 70, of Morton Avenue: “It’s scary especially when it’s right on your doorstep. I live by myself and it makes you think you don’t know who is knocking about.

“It’s terrible for the children and they will be scarred by this.

“The first I knew of the incident was that when I went to the shops this morning and saw the area cordoned off the police (at 9am).

“Everybody is quite shocked. In the 20 years or so I have lived here, we haven’t had anything like this before.”

Emily Burns, 21, Rowan Close, added: “It’s very surprising. I didn’t even know what was going on until I saw there was no traffic. It’s very shocking, especially as I now have a 10-month-old daughter.”

Mavis Sale, 77, of Morton Avenue, said: “My husband Ray and I have lived here for 53 years and there has never been anything like this before.

“It’s completely shocking. I looked out of the window at 5am and I saw the police on the road.”

Cliff Law, 63, Hardwick Avenue, said: “I’m very surprised as you just don’t expect it on your doorstep.

“I’m shocked that something like this has happened so close. “I’ve never seen anything like this many press in Kidlington before.”