RESIDENTS have spoken of their shock after a murder investigation was launched after a man’s body was found in a house in Christchurch.
Police have pledged “all efforts” will go into “finding those responsible”, with neighbours and residents of Heath Road in Walkford speaking of their shock this morning at the scene.
Dorset Police received a report at 7.53pm on Tuesday January 4, raising concern for the welfare of the occupant.
Officers attended the location and found the body of a man in his 30s with serious injuries.
A resident of Southwood Avenue, just off Heath Road, said: “We’ve been here quite a few years and they’ve had problems before down Heath Road.
— Andrew Goldman (@AndrewDailyEcho) January 5, 2022
“It’s really bad and, as I say, it’s probably the worst I’ve ever known. It’s not usually violent down this end.” @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/WlYOhYy4X8
His next of kin has been informed and the coroner notified of the death. At the scene, a South West Police forensics van was present as investigations into the man’s death continued.
An armed police presence was reported by residents shortly after 8pm on Tuesday evening, before the rotors of a police helicopter were also heard.
Drivers and walkers passing through were asked to provide their details to officers, who had cordoned the area off, before entering and leaving both Heath Road and the nearby Southwood Avenue.
For those who call the road home, the incident has been described as “frightening”.
Resident Andrew Stacey, who lives in Heather Close said: “The helicopter went up at around 8.30 last night and it was hovering about for quite a while.
"Then all of a sudden we saw these blue lights come flashing round here and that was it.
One resident told the Echo: “I only know there was a heavy police presence last night. I became aware of it at around 8pm. It is deeply saddening and I’m just completely shocked by it. Awful.” pic.twitter.com/9xabf7M7e7
— Andrew Goldman (@AndrewDailyEcho) January 5, 2022
“I didn’t know the man but this sort of thing isn’t expected round here. We’ve been here six years and the worst we’ve seen is two bits of graffiti in the alleyway – apart from that you don’t see anything like this. I’m very sorry for him.”
41-year-old Janine Mears, who works as a school welfare officer, has lived in Heath Road for more than 10 years. She said: “This is a really nice community street, I’m really good friends with the neighbours – our kids go to school and play together – it’s just a lovely street. I’d want to stress that this is very unusual, I can’t quite believe it’s happened down our road.
“I was told last night that this was definitely an isolated incident and there’s nothing around the area to worry about.”
A neighbour of the victim told the Echo: “I only know there was a heavy police presence last night. I became aware of it at around 8pm. It is deeply saddening and I’m just completely shocked by it. Awful.”
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Sweetzer, of Dorset Police, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly died.
“We will be carrying out a full investigation to establish exactly what happened at the address. All efforts are directed at finding those responsible.
“I am appealing to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area since Sunday, January 2, to please contact us. Officers can be approached by members of the public with any information or concerns.”
Highcliffe & Walkford ward councillor Nick Geary said that “any death like this” can rock a community, describing the incident as a “tragedy”.
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