STUNNED residents spoke of their shock at finding the picturesque and family-friendly beach cordoned off by police as half-term got underway yesterday morning.

Dog-walkers and local residents on early morning strolls said they weren't allowed down to the beach from the car park.

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Police community support officers spoke to local residents to assure them that they were not in any danger and the situation was under control.

Cllr Mike Duckworth, ward councillor for Mudeford and Friars Cliff, said he first knew of the incident when he was out with his dog about 7.30am.

“This is very disturbing news and our thoughts go out to the family of the victim”, he added.

“Christchurch is a very safe place with very few incidences of crime, so it is particularly shocking when we hear about a violent crime like this.

“We will be assisting the police with their enquiries in any way we can.”

Lesley White from Somerford, said: “We walked along the beach at around 7pm - 8pm and we saw the boat there. There were a few fishermen on the otherside of the groyne next to it, but I didn't see any police at that time.”

Jo Smith, owner of The Beach Hut Cafe, said: “The girl who found the body came into the cafe after speaking to the police this morning.

“She said that she saw the body and it was on the shoreline at around 9pm last night. It was a man. I have lived here for many years and I've never known anything like this to happen.

“The girl was really shaken up and she said that she saw the boat on the shore and the body in the water next to it.”

Other staff from the cafe said the boat wasn't there when they left the beach at 6pm on Monday night. They said it was unusual to see a boat on the beach like that.

John Cartwright from Purewell, said: “We saw the police vans and we came down here to see what was happening. All you can see is a boat with tarpaulin over it and half a dozen police officers on the beach. It is hard to take in what is happening.”

One eyewitness speaking at Mayor's Mead car park said he had seen three men on a similar-looking boat moored at Christchurch Quay the day before.

“They had all had too much to drink and were in no fit state to be handling a boat”, he said.

“I've seen the boat owner before; the boat has been kept here for about a year I think. I don't know if it is the same thing but the boats look pretty similar.

“We left and went fishing about 3pm and they were revving the engine and shouting that they were pirates. They had been arguing and fighting as well.”