THE local community was yesterday still struggling to comprehend the horror of what had unfolded in their peaceful town.

Chloe Warner, 22, came with her son Morgan, six, to leave a tribute at Vicarage Road, pictured.

She said: “It is a scary thought that something like that can happen on your doorstep and I think everyone has to just come together as a community at times like this. People in Didcot became very close when we lost Jayden Parkinson and now we have to do that again. My son is very emotional at the moment, so I thought we would come and show our respect.”

Rev Tim O’Brien, of Didcot Baptist Church, said the church was helping to provide comfort to families. He said: “There is a real sense of shock but also one for the community to come together.”

In a street backing on to the home where Derin, her mother Janet and Philip Howard were murdered, mother-of-two Sam Cox said she and husband David had not been able to explain the situation to their children, Eloise and Lucas.

Mr Cox said: “You wonder what sort of world you are bringing them up in. It is scary to think it can happen so close to you.”