Police in South Africa say they have arrested a man on suspicion of murdering his wife and two daughters near Bedford.

Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, were found dead at the family home in Great Denham on Monday.

Zimbabwean national Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma had left the country via Heathrow Airport on a British passport two days earlier.

But earlier, the 45-year-old was arrested in Kensington, Johannesburg, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the UK said it had since authorised three murder charges against him.

South African police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the arrest served as a “stern warning” that the country was not a “hide-out” for any suspected criminals.

“We will trace you, we will find you and we will arrest you,” she said, speaking to reporters.