Bournemouth murder probe: Police investigation enters third day

Officers made the arrested in relation to the death of a man died in hospital after a Bournemouth town centre stabbing.

The 21-year-old victim was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries shortly before 5am on Saturday, March 12, but he died later that morning.

A police investigation is ongoing, with an extensive officer presence in Old Christchurch Road and Horseshoe Common over the weekend.

Officers received reports of a stabbing at 4.44am outside Subway. Cordons were put in place and enquiries are ongoing.

An update issued overnight on Saturday from Dorset Police said a 16-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of murder and he was in custody.

• Read more: Boy, 16, arrested on suspicion of murder after fatal stabbing of 21-year-old man

Later on Sunday, the force issued a CCTV appeal for a potential witness to come forward. He made himself known to police a short time later and was assisting officers with enquiries.

Dorset Police said the victim’s family were being supported by specially trained officers and the coroner had been notified.

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Following fast track enquiries, I can confirm that a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

“The victim’s family have been kept updated with the progress of the investigation and our thoughts are very much with them and his friends at this tragic time.

“A section of Old Christchurch Road and Horseshoe Common remains closed while our examination of the scene continues and CCTV enquiries are well underway in the area.”

Floral tributes were placed by a tree at the edge of Horseshoe Common, near the junction of Madeira Road and Old Christchurch Road, from Saturday evening.

Uniformed police officers manned the edge of the open space to ensure the crime scene was not entered by members of the public.

Marked police cars and vans were parked on roads in the area, with a forensics team van acting as a hub to coordinate the investigations at the scene.

On Sunday, force search specialists were seen conducting enquiries inside the large Horseshoe Common cordon throughout the day.

DI Huxter added: “I continue to appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident and has not yet contacted us to please get in touch, no matter how small you think it may be.

“I would also ask local residents and motorists who were in the area at the relevant time to please check their home CCTV systems or dashcam footage and come forward if they have captured anything of relevance to our investigation.”

'A family changed forever'

Bournemouth MP Conor Burns said a young life had been “snuffed out” and a family had been “changed forever” following the fatal stabbing in the town centre.

Residents spoke of their fear following the incident in Old Christchurch Road on Saturday morning.

Mr Burns, who represents Bournemouth West, said his thoughts are with the victim and his family.

The Conservative MP said the events in the town centre will have "shocked and unsettled" residents.

Mr Burns told the Daily Echo: “My first thoughts are with the young victim and his family.

“This is a young life snuffed out and a family changed forever.

“Sadly it will also worry those who feel Bournemouth’s centre is changing in an unwelcome way."

Community concerns

While the cordon remained in place at Horseshoe Common throughout the weekend, residents told the Daily Echo that the area now feels unsafe.

Andrew Christopher, a 25-year-old student who lives in the town, said: “It’s scary we walk through that area regularly – everyone has. It’s frightening.” 

Yasser Abuali, who lives in a flat which overlooks Horseshoe Common, said: “It makes me feel very uncomfortable and very unsafe. “

• Read more: Residents' shock after fatal town centre stabbing

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.”

DI Huxter said: “I understand this incident has had an impact on the community and members of the public will continue to see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be approached with any concerns.”

He added: “The victim’s family have been kept updated with the progress of the investigation and our thoughts are very much with them and his friends at this tragic time.”

Anyone with information in relation to the incident should contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220039976.

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