RESIDENTS have spoken of their fear after a murder investigation was launched following a fatal stabbing in Bournemouth.
Officers have urged anyone with information to speak to the police “immediately” as they undertake a “full and detailed investigation” into the incident that took place in Bournemouth town centre.
A 21-year-old man died in hospital after being stabbed outside Subway in Old Christchurch Road shortly before 5am on Saturday, March 12.
Police officers and a forensics van remained at the scene all day while crime scene investigators carried out their examinations.
A cordon remained in place around Horseshoe Common into Saturday night though the cordon outside Subway was removed at around 5pm.
The cordon outside Subway has just been lifted though the cordon and police presence in Horseshoe Common will remain “for some time yet” say officers at the scene. @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/2OFg59OJXl
— Nicole Baddeley (@nicole_baddeley) March 12, 2022
The victim's family has been informed and the coroner notified.
There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days and officers from the neighbourhood policing teams can be approached with any concerns.
Shocked and scared, town centre residents have described the incident as “frightening”.
Andrew Christopher, a 25-year-old student who lives in Bournemouth, said: “It’s scary we walk through that area regularly - everyone has.
“It’s frightening.”
35-year-old Yasser Abuali, who lives in a flat above Turtle Bay (opposite Subway), said: “It makes me feel very uncomfortable and very unsafe.
“It’s a residential area and obviously there are clubs as well but it’s not safe for a household and some of the blocks here have kids as well and I don’t think they would feel comfortable knowing that this has happened.”
A resident who picked his wife up earlier in the evening said it was very busy in the area and said it’s “shocking and scary. @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/cji3WH2MEl
— Nicole Baddeley (@nicole_baddeley) March 12, 2022
Kelly Scott, 31, who lives in the town centre, said: “It’s terrifying.
“It feels like Bournemouth has just become so unsafe in the last few years to the point now where I don’t feel safe walking around anymore and I definitely won’t be after this.”
READ MORE: Bournemouth murder probe: Man, 21, stabbed to death
Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “A full and detailed investigation is underway into this incident and our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this very difficult time.
“I would urge anyone who saw what happened and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact Dorset Police immediately.
“I am also keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed what happened, or captured anything of relevance on home CCTV or dashcam, to please come forward.
“As we undertake our early investigations, a cordon remains in place to allow officers and crime scene investigators to carry out their examinations. I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while this vital work takes place.
“Members of the public will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be approached with any concerns.”
Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 12:101.
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
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