PEOPLE living close to a property in Hereford which was searched by police yesterday have described a large police presence in the area during the second day of a murder investigation.

Police are still searching a flat in Nicholson Court after a 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder last night.

He remains in hospital where he is receiving treatment for injuries sustained in a road traffic collision.

A woman in her 50s was found dead by officers at a property in Highmore Street, Hereford, at around 10.20pm on Tuesday night.

Formal identification has not yet taken place, but her next of kin has been notified.

At around 5.55pm the same day, emergency services were called to Roman Road, Hereford, following an accident involving a van and a pedestrian.

The dead woman and the pedestrian involved in the accident are known to one another.

A local resident said that police had been at the Nicholson Court property all day yesterday and today and that there was a ‘big police presence in the area’.

Yesterday, witnesses told the Hereford Times that police had kicked open the door of a ground floor flat in Nicholson Court.

A police officer was stood outside the door of the flat yesterday. Neighbours said a man lives there by himself.

Superintendent Sue Thomas from West Mercia Police said: "We are treating this as an isolated incident, but would still like to speak to anyone with any information which could help us - even if the information may seem insignificant.

"We have a team of officers and police staff working on this inquiry and I understand how concerning this incident is for the local community, I would like to reassure people that there will be increased patrols in the area while the investigation continues.

"If you have any concerns please don't hesitate to speak to one of these officers."