NEIGHBOURS have spoken of the ‘horrifying’ and ‘terrifying’ scenes that unfolded in Weymouth and Portland – as police launched investigations into the deaths of a woman and a man.

Dorset Police were called by the ambulance service to a report that a woman had been found injured at an address in Ranelagh Road, Weymouth, just after 5pm on Thursday.

The woman, in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the woman’s death is being treated as suspicious and an investigation is under way to establish the full circumstances surrounding her death.

Dorset Echo: Police sealed off The Grove at Portland on Thursday evening and found two bodies in the area. Picture © Dorset Media ServicePolice sealed off The Grove at Portland on Thursday evening and found two bodies in the area. Picture © Dorset Media Service

Later on Thursday, at around 6.40pm, police officers attended an address in Grove Road, Portland, and found the body of a man aged in his 50s.

His death is being treated as unexplained and an investigation is under way.

The man and woman were known to each other, police confirmed. Their families have been informed.

Armed police were in attendance at the scene in Portland, along with the police helicopter.

Neighbours have spoken of their shock at seeing the dramatic scenes unfold near to their homes.

Andrea Liss, of Grove Road, said: “I’m just horrified. You don’t expect things like that to happen near you. It was like being in a movie.”

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “It was certainly an unusual sight on this otherwise quiet road.

“I went out and spoke to one of the police officers and he told me to stay indoors for a couple of hours.

“We watched what was going on and after a while the police broke down the front window on the door of the house and went in shouting, ‘armed police’. It was just like the scenes you see on TV.

“They smashed the front window and bashed the door in.

“A little bit later an ambulance came and three paramedics went into the house.

“It’s a surprise - things like that don’t happen in this quiet little area.

“When we found out what had happened we felt rather sad. It’s obviously a tragedy.”

Dorset Echo: Grove RoadGrove Road

A family friend of the woman - who he said she was a mother of three – said: “I was very quickly made aware of the seriousness of the situation.

“My first reaction was this is scary as hell. Absolutely terrifying.

“And then it was just sort of scenarios going through my head of what could have happened.

“It’s still so shocking – just a complete shock.”

Cordons were put up at both scenes to allow officers to continue their enquiries into the deaths.

Weymouth and Portland Police said teams were patrolling the area around Grove Road yesterday afternoon to offer reassurance to the community following the tragic incident.

Detective Inspector Wayne Seymour, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “A detailed investigation is underway looking into the circumstances of both deaths, which are currently being treated as linked.

“The families of both the woman and the man are being supported by specially-trained officers.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed or heard anything suspicious in the area of either Ranelagh Road or Grove Road during the afternoon of Thursday 1 April 2021 to please contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210051727. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.