A LARGE police cordon remains in much of Bournemouth town centre this morning stretching across the Lower Gardens and the Square. 

The cordon, which one police officer said was the largest they had been at in decades of experience, is in place as crime scene investigators and detectives continue investigating a murder probe.

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Bournemouth Echo: Forensics in the SquareForensics in the Square (Image: Daily Echo)

Where you can and can’t go in Bournemouth town centre? 

Access to the Lower Gardens is not allowed, as well as the Square and Gervis Place. 

Cordons remain manned by police officers in Bourne Avenue up to the former New Look. Tesco remains open for business. 

Another cordon is stretching from the corner of Old Christchurch Road and Gervis Place, meaning access to all businesses from Burger King onwards all the way up to the top of Exeter Road.  

So, this includes Obscura Café, Moon in the Square and Bobby’s. 

The bottom of Richmond Hill at the Square is also closed. From Roddis House in Old Christchurch Road down to the Square, all businesses remain closed, too, with no access allowed. 

As well as this, the Lower Gardens are completely shut by police all the way up to the flyover. 

Bournemouth Echo:

How do I get to bus stops in Gervis Place? 

You can’t. All buses are using Westover Road as bus stops now and all bus routes in the town centre are being diverted around the open streets. 

Morebus said: “Due to a Police closure of Bournemouth Square, all services starting/terminating at Bournemouth Square will be doing so at Westover Road.  

“All services that travel through Bournemouth Square will divert via The Pier flyover before/after serving Westover Road in both directions.” 

Bournemouth Echo: Westover RoadWestover Road (Image: Daily Echo)

How long will the cordon be in place? 

It is not known yet how long a cordon will be in place. However, it is looking likely it will be for the rest of the day. 

Certainly, the Square will be closed off by police for the rest of the day and could last the whole weekend as CSIs and detectives continue their investigations. 

A thorough analysis of the crime scene will be needed and as much evidence gathered, so the cordon is here to stay for a while. 

What do we know so far? 

Last night, an 18-year-old man from Bournemouth died following a serious fight in the Square and his next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified.  

Four 18-year-old men – two from the Portsmouth area, one from Bournemouth and one from Poole – have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.