Woman, 46, stabbed to death at house in Sandgate Road, Fiveways, Brighton

The woman, aged 46, had sustained multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene in Sandgate Road, Brighton.

Enquiries began after a man in his 50s called police from outside the city's John Street police station shortly after 6am. Information he provided led police to Sandgate Road.

The scene was sealed off and officers began house-to-house enquiries. People living nearby were also questioned as they set off for work.

Detective Chief Inspector Till Sanderson, from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, leading the investigation, said: "A 51-year-old man from Seaford has been arrested on suspicion of murder. 

"We would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in or around Sandgate Road between 6pm on Wednesday and 6am on Thursday.

"It appears that both suspect and victim were known to each other and we are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with the incident." 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police online or call 101 quoting Operation Navan. Alternatively, please visit the Crimestoppers or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Speaking from the scene superintendent Ed De La Rue said: 
“The community here will have been shocked and surprised by this. 

“As you would expect with a murder, the most serious of crimes,   the investigation will be very thorough. The forensic investigation is ongoing as are our house to house enquiries.

“We would like to ask if anyone did hear or see anything out of the ordinary or suspicious between 6pm and 6am to contact us.”

Witnesses are urged to contact police quoting Operation Navan.

The arrested man remains in police custody. 

Earlier this morning a massive police presence surrounded Sandgate Road, near Fiveways since 6.30am.

At 6am today a man in his 50s called police from outside John Street police station, to turn himself in.

His call led to the raid on the address in Sandgate Road where police discovered a women with serious injuries, who was later confirmed killed.

A neighbour said: "It is so shocking. I really hope the woman is okay but it's not looking too good. I know people who live at that end of the road so I'm just praying it's not them."

Sandgate Road is currently cordoned off at both ends and eight squad cars are already on the scene in Fiveways with more arriving every few minutes.

Officers are guarding an address at the lower end of the road, but have not told residents what is happening.

Scenes of crimes officers arrived at around 10am and are currently searching and removing items from the address. 

The road was closed at 6.30am, with only residents allowed out and no pedestrians or traffic allowed in.

Barfield's butchers and Fiveways deli were broken into on Sunday night.

A member of staff at Raven's bakers told The Argus: "They've been here since at least 6.30am.

"The police won't tell us anything. Our customers can't get in.

"It looks really serious though and it's normally so nice and peaceful here."

Sandgate road resident Jenny Fox, 39, said: “When I woke up there were blue lights everywhere and police going into a house opposite.

"The police just said it was some sort of incident and won’t tell us anything else.

"I’m pretty concerned because I’ve got small children at home and this all looks very serious.

"You don’t usually see any police around Fiveways so to have so many I guess must mean it’s something awful.” 

In a statement issued at 9.33am, a Sussex Police spokesman said: "A man has been arrested after surrendering himself to police in Brighton on Thursday morning.

"The man, in his 50s, called police from outside John Street police station shortly after 6am.

"Information that he provided led police to a house in Sandgate Road, Brighton, where officers discovered a woman with serious injuries."