LIVE: Murder probe underway after man's body found in flats

A number of Cleveland Police cars and vans have been stationed at Kennedy Gardens in Billingham, with teams of forensic investigators spotted entering the building in white suits. The vehicles are parked in a line along Kingsway, with residents calling the heavy police presence 'scary'.

While the nature of the incident is not yet clear, Teesside Live has contacted Cleveland Police and the North East Ambulance Service for further details. We'll provide updates on this incident below.

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17:28KEY EVENT

Murder enquiry underway in Billingham

Cleveland Police have issued the following statement, confirming that a murder probe is underway:

Police are currently present in Billingham as a murder enquiry is underway after the body of a man was found inside an address in Kennedy Gardens earlier today (Thursday, May 25).

Emergency services were called to the flat at around 6.40am where very sadly the man who is in his 50s was found deceased.

His next of kin have been informed and they have been offered specialist support. Our thoughts are with the man's family at this very difficult time.

Two men, 56 and 44, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They are in custody awaiting questioning and we would reassure the local community that there is not believed to be any risk to the wider public.

Officers remain at various locations across the town conducting enquiries and anyone with information or concerns is urged to speak to them in confidence.

We would also appeal for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious within the flats at Kennedy Gardens from yesterday evening into today to contact Cleveland Police via the 101 number. Please quote ref 100246.

You can also submit information via this link: Public Portal (https://orlo.uk/8R190)

If you don't want to speak to police, information can be passed anonymously to https://orlo.uk/le2O0 or by phoning 0800 555 111.

16:11Miriam Goodman

Police in other areas of Billingham

Police are understood to have attended other areas of Billingham on Thursday in connection with this incident.

15:07Miriam Goodman

Awaiting details from police

Cleveland Police are yet to provide details on the nature of the incident.

The force has been approached for comment.

12:19Miriam Goodman

'It's scary to see so many police'

One passing resident said that it was 'scary to see so many' officers on the street, which others have reported is usually quite quiet.

12:11Miriam Goodman

'Seven police cars and four ambulances'

A witness who passed the scene at around 7am this morning reported seeing 'six or seven police cars and four ambulances' outside of the high-rise apartment building.

12:00Miriam Goodman

CSI seen entering building

Officers wearing white forensic suits have been seen going in and out of the building as they continue to investigate the incident.

11:53Miriam Goodman

Where are the Kennedy Gardens apartment buildings

The police activity surrounds one of the Kennedy Gardens apartment buildings in Billingham. The building sits on Pentland Avenue and is located just a stones throw from Billingham Forum.

11:45Miriam Goodman

Police vans line nearby street

A number of Cleveland Police vehicles are lined on nearby street Kingsway and officers continue to probe a flat at Kennedy Gardens apartment building.

11:40Miriam Goodman

Cleveland Police contacted for comment

Teesside Live has reached out to Cleveland Police for further details on the incident. Stay tuned for updates.

11:37Miriam Goodman

'So quiet it's almost creepy'

Residents have called Kennedy Gardens 'a lovely quiet area', and said that the blocks of flats are so quiet that they can be almost 'creepy'.

11:35Miriam Goodman

What we know so far

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson has confirmed that they were called to an incident at a private address at Kennedy Gardens at around 6.17am where one person had been injured.

There are currently four police vans, including one forensics team, on the scene of the apartment building in Billingham. Cleveland Police officers can be seen guarding the entrance to building.

11:30KEY EVENT

North East Ambulance Service statement

A NEAS spokesperson said:

We were called at 06:17am to reports of a person injured at a private address on Kennedy Gardens, Billingham. We sent one clinical team leader, one specialist paramedic and two emergency ambulances.

11:26Miriam Goodman

'Something big is going on'

One couple, who have lived in Billingham for 12 years, were walking their two dogs when they came across the scene. They said it was 'definitely a shock' to see such a heavy police presence.

"We saw police on the side and I thought - something big is going on."

The pair said the area is 'generally not too bad' and that it has got both good and bad spots.

11:22Miriam Goodman

Pictures from the scene

Pictures from the scene show a CSI van parked around the back of the apartment building where they appear to be probing a ground floor flat.

11:19Miriam Goodman

Police 'guarding' entrance to apartment building

A police officer can be seen 'guarding' the entrance to Kennedy Gardens in Billingham, where four Cleveland Police vans including one Crime Scene Investigation van are on the scene.

11:16Miriam Goodman

Three police vans and one CSI van

There are currently three police vans and one CSI van at the scene. Two forensic investigators in white suits have been spotted and appear to be probing a ground floor apartment building.

11:13Miriam Goodman

'It was a bit of a shock'

One woman, who was born in Billingham but now lives in Newcastle, was visiting the area and stumbled upon the activity when returning from a shopping trip.

She said: "I have never seen that many - ever. Normally when you see that many the incident is visible but it's not.

"It was a bit of a shock"

11:11Miriam Goodman

CSI forensics teams on the scene

Forensic investigators in white suits are on the scene. Two CSI officers are thought to be probing the door of a downstairs flat at the back of the building.

11:08Miriam Goodman

Fleet of emergency services landed in the early hours of the morning

One witness reported walking along the street at around 7am where he saw six or seven police vehicles and around four ambulances on the scene.

11:06Miriam Goodman

Activity focused on high-rise apartment building

Police are currently on the scene of an incident in Billingham. While the nature of the incident is not yet known the activity appears to be focused on high-rise apartment building Kennedy Gardens.