BRIGHTON Hill ward councillors have expressed their shock and said “it is out of character” after police launched a murder investigation following the death of a man, who was found with serious injuries at a house in the Brighton Hill area of Basingstoke.

Officers attended the address in Musgrave Close after being called at 11.14pm yesterday (May 22).

A man in his 30s was found inside the address. He had sustained significant injuries and was later pronounced dead. His next-of-kin have been informed.

SEE ALSO: LIVE: Man dies after being found with 'significant injuries'

Detectives are investigating the circumstances of what took place. No arrests have been made at this stage.

The leader of the Basingstoke Labour group and ward councillor for Brighton Hill said he was shocked to hear the news.

Cllr Andy McCormick, said: "It is a bit of a shock because it is quite a quiet community in Brighton Hill.

"My thoughts go out to his friends and family at this time.

"Sadly Basingstoke is not the place it used to be and these things are happening more often but it is a quiet area and things like this are quite rare in Brighton Hill."

Fellow ward councillor for Brighton Hill Cllr Andy Konieczko, added: "It is a shock and unexpected as its an area where people of all ages live from old to really young.

"It is such a lovely friendly area and as councillors we spend a lot of time in Brighton Hill so I am sure it will be shocking to everyone.

"It is just so out of character for the area and I am thinking of the family of the man who has sadly died at this terrible time."

While Cllr Andrea Bowes, also a ward councillor for the area, said: “I am both shocked and saddened, my thoughts are with his family at this most difficult of times.”

Detective Chief Inspector Justin Dipper said: “We know this incident will be concerning for the local community, and we are working hard to establish the exact circumstances of what took place.

“While our investigation is at an early stage, we do not believe there is any wider risk to the public.

“We need to hear from anyone who has any information about what took place on Sunday night.

“Were you in the Musgrave Close area of Brighton Hill late on Sunday night? Did you see or hear anything unusual or concerning?

“Perhaps you were driving in the local area, noticed something unusual and have dashcam footage that could help us?

“If so, please contact us as soon as possible.

“Officers will remain in the area while enquiries are carried out, so if you have any concerns, please speak to them.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 and quote Operation Beckon or the crime reference number 44220203196.

You can also send information online by going to https://mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC22N02-PO1 and quoting the same reference number.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, 100 per cent anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or via their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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