TWO people believed to be covered in blood were picked up by a taxi at Steamer Point on the night the body of Rico Dardis was recovered from the sea, the Daily Echo understands.

It is believed the men were dropped off near Mayor’s Mead car park in Wick Lane near Christchurch Quay on Monday.

One member of staff at The Captain’s Club hotel, which is situated just metres from the car park, said he left the hotel at 10.30pm on Monday night to pick up some guests from Masala Bay restaurant in Bridge Street when he saw police arresting two men.

The staff member, who asked not to be named, said: “I went out of the hotel, past Mayor’s Mead car park and just before we got to the crossroads there were two police cars – one normal and another black BMW X5.

“They were blocking the way. One of the guys was leaning against the rear wheel. He was cuffed and the other one was stood by the wall. They were both cuffed.

“I went and picked up the guests and came back and they were still there.

“The police told me I needed to go round the other way if I was coming back again.”

Yesterday, local police officers were patrolling the beach at Steamer Point, which was busy with families and groups enjoying the half-term break.

Laura Huxtable, shop manager at Avon Beach, said: “There has been a lot of talk about it.

“It’s quite frightening. We’ve never had anything like this before.

“Most people are interested in what’s happened. It has been a shock for the fact that it has happened in this area.”

Bekki Lancaster, from the Beach Hut, said there had been a lot of interest in the incident.

“There has been a couple of PCSOs patrolling the beach today. Lots of people have been talking.”

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 27:447.