Dying woman found with hand cut off

Detectives have launched a murder inquiry after a woman was found mutilated and dying in the street.

The 28-year-old was discovered by a passer-by in Greenford, north west London, at about 7 p.m. on Monday.

Witnesses said she had serious head injuries and one of her hands had been cut off.

Police and paramedics were called and she was taken to Charing Cross Hospital where she died about four hours later.

Investigators believe the woman may have been targeted after an acrimonious split with a former partner.

They were preparing to question six men held at several west London police stations after they were arrested early yesterday.

One line of inquiry is that the woman was attacked elsewhere and dumped on the pavement, in Braund Avenue at its junction with Verulam Road.