Shetland Close: Neighbourhood speaks of shock and sadness

Police were called to an address on Shetland Close, off King's Road in the BD2 area of the city, at 3.57pm on Tuesday, where a body was discovered.  

West Yorkshire Police confirmed the body is that of an adult male and enquiries are ongoing to formally identify the man and trace his next of kin.  

The scene is close to the Goals sports complex and detectives are appealing for information from anyone using the pitches at the time, who may have seen or heard anything "out of the ordinary".

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene and extinguished a small fire inside the property.  

Forensics at the scene (Image: Newsquest)

Two people - a 52-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man - have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are both currently in custody.  

Police said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. 

One resident of the street said it had been a "traumatic experience" for the neighbourhood. 

A woman told the T&A: "Obviously there's a heightened level of concern.

"I spoke to a couple of officers and I enquired as to what was going on because it was blatantly apparent there was a major incident

"I understand they weren't able to divulge any information but when it's swarming with emergency vehicles, it does raise an amount of alarm."

A forensic officer in the garden of a house (Image: Newsquest)

When told police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the man's death following the two arrests, she said: "It does allay some of the concerns."

She added: "Like one resident referenced, we're quite secluded.

"Generally we keep ourselves to ourselves."

Another woman added: "I just came into a load of commotion in a very peaceful neighbourhood.

"We just about see people on a day-to-day basis, when neighbours get in their car and drive by."

She added: "It's quite shocking really and upsetting as well."

Another resident said: "My mum came home from work, I was already at home at 3.30pm - police were not here at that time, she said 'Have you seen police'?"

He added: "It's just really sad."

One T&A reader described the scene on Tuesday as "massive". 

Police scene on Shetland Close (Image: Newsquest)

She said: "Every kind of emergency service has attended since around 3.30pm this afternoon."

A woman who has lived on the estate for just under 10 years spoke of her shock at seeing the huge emergency services presence on the quiet street.

She had to abandon her car at the bottom of the road on Tuesday.

"It's so secluded, and there's so many kids, so many kids," she said. 

Another resident said he was "shocked because it's a really nice and peaceful area".

He added: "There's never trouble hardly ever, you don't hear about crime.

"Everyone is pretty sound, I don't know everyone."

The resident said the neighbours he does know look out for each other.

"I'm just shocked about it," he added.

Councillor Si Cunningham (Lab, Bolton & Undercliffe) said: "This has been a very shocking incident for what is a very quiet and peaceful community."

He added: "We urge anyone with any information that may assist police to call 101."

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Holdsworth, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “From the information known at this time, we are treating this as a murder investigation. My team are working to establish the circumstances that led to the man’s death.  

“We have two people in custody and are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.  

“This has taken place in what is usually a quiet residential street. I understand that this incident has caused concern in the wider community and there is a lot of speculation about what has taken place and those involved. We need anyone with information to be passing that on to us.  

“We are conducting house-to-house enquiries and CCTV trawls in the area, and I would urge anyone with information, who has not already spoken to the police, to please make contact.  

“The property backs on to Goals sports complex and we are also urging anyone who was using the pitches yesterday afternoon who may have seen or heard anything out of the ordinary to please report it.”  

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via Live Chat online or by calling 101, quoting log 1109 of April 16.  

Information can also be passed to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.