Man arrested on suspicion of murdering 11 year old girl and 31 year old woman in Gloucester

Police find pair dead after being called to address in the city at 4.50am

Dexter Wat, Gloucester (Google Street View)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering an 11-year-old girl and a 31-year-old woman in Gloucester, police have said.

Officers found the pair after being called to a report that two people had been seriously injured at an address in Dexter Way at 4.50am on Monday.

Both were declared dead at the scene. A 28-year-old man has been detained. None have yet been named.

As investigations continued, neighbours spoke of their shock.

April McMillan, a 23-year-old support worker who lives in the street told South West News Service: "I woke up at 4.30am this morning hearing a loud bang.

"I didn't think anything of it because we've had road works around and there's been lots of bangs.

"There are lots of police about, it's very shocking - I can't believe it. Everyone is lovely round here, I didn't expect this at all."

Kelly Fraser, 31, was walking her dog on a nearby riverside path and had to take an alternative route due to cordons.

She said: “It’s quite a community. There are always kids out playing. It just seems so sad. This is not a bad area. You really feel for the people involved."

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: "At 4.50am on Monday police were called to an address in Dexter Way where it was reported that two people had been seriously injured.

"A 31-year-old woman and an 11-year-old girl were declared dead at the scene. A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of the woman and the girl."

He added cordons are in place at locations linked to the investigation.

The nearby Riverside Sports and Leisure Club was closed for a period but has since re-opened.

Duty manager Ibrahim Omer said: "We were meant to open at 8am but couldn't open until 8.15am.

"The cleaner who lived nearby had to be escorted home because she was told it's not safe. It's shocking, you don't want that happening anywhere.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Gloucestershire Police on 101.