A MAN has been arrested by police investigating the murder of a Hampshire pensioner.

He has been detained in connection with a death of a 70-year-old man whose body was found in a flat at Bursledon Road just after 9pm on Wednesday.

A police spokesman said: "A 28-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody at this time.

"Officers remain at the scene to carry out enquiries and continue to appeal for witnesses."

No further details have been released.

Police officers converged on a block of flats in Thornhill after receiving reports that an elderly man’s body had been discovered at the property.

Residents have told of their shock after hearing sirens as police cars and armed officers arrived at the scene.

One resident who asked not to be named said: "It was crazy - there were at least ten police cars and loads of armed officers. They also sent a drone up to the top of the building. It was unbelievable.”

The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his relatives were told shortly afterwards.

A resident said: “I'm so scared to let my children outside, I’m so on edge. You see stuff like this on the TV but you don’t expect it on your doorstep."

Another householder added: “I didn’t hear anything going on until I saw the sirens.

“It was so loud and that’s when I saw the cars outside, there were at least ten of them parked at the back of the flats.

“I’ve barely left the house since, only to do the school runs. I don’t want to be outside and I don’t want to let my kids play outside.”

In a statement issued yesterday Hampshire police said: “We were called at 9.02pm on Wednesday February 5 to a flat in Bursledon Road, Southampton, following the discovery of the man’s body.

“Enquiries into the exact circumstances are ongoing and we will be in a position to release more information as the investigation continues.

“Officers will remain in the are conducting enquiries and any resident with concerns should speak to an officer.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting Operation Pulpit or reference number 44200045830.