Residents reaction as Shildon murder probe enters second day

Police and CSI remain on Dent Street in Shildon after a man in his 50s died having been attacked on Tuesday (March 10) afternoon.

The victim, who has not yet been named, was initially taken to hospital with serious injuries, from which he later sadly died. A 49-year-old man was last night arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody.

Meanwhile the street remains taped off by police with white-suited forensic officers seen working at the scene. Crime scene investigators (CSI) arrived around 11.20am and were pictured taking photographs of the area.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, told The Northern Echo how he went to leave his home and “opened the gate to find the street had been cordoned off”.

He said: “I tried asking the police what had happened but they would not tell me anything.”

Another added: “When I got back from work around 6pm I noticed the cordon but did not know what it was for.

“It was only when I read the news this morning that I found out what had happened.”

“I don’t normally see police around here so to find out someone has died is a big shock,” one man said.

While some residents said the area has had problems with anti-social behaviour, it is usually fairly quiet.

One said: “You get anti-social behaviour and problems at the bus station with kids throwing rocks at cars.

Officers guarding the scene on Dent Street (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“But for this to have happened has shocked me. You don’t usually get a lot of trouble like that round here.”

Police are expected to remain in the area for some time, and say they are treating the attack as an isolated incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Sharon Alderson, who is leading the investigation, previously said: “We understand that this incident will have caused shock to the community, and our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones during this difficult time.

“While there will be an increased police presence in the area as we carry out our enquiries, I can reassure the community of Shildon that we believe this to be an isolated incident.

“I’d like to thank residents for their support and co-operation while our investigation is carried out.

“A team of officers are currently working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and we are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident who has not yet spoken to us.”

CSI photographing evidence on Dent Street (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

On Tuesday residents told how the incident unfolded, and police descended on the street..

CSI on Dent Street (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Susan Weston came home from the doctors and found her street full of police. The 56-year-old said: “What I saw out the front was just awful. There was blood. I didn’t want to look.

Both ends of Dent Street were cordoned off by police (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“Seeing that out the front of my house, I felt sick. I felt shaky.”

Another man said: “You couldn’t move around here for police.

“The air ambulance came over and people were running up and down getting things like gauze. Someone was lifted into the ambulance.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident reference 209 of March 10, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.