Neighbours 'heard woman screaming' before police arrested 47-year-old man for murder after female in her 60s was found dead in 'quiet' village

• The woman was found in a property in Great Baddow, Essex on Friday afternoon

Neighbours said they ‘heard a woman screaming’ before seeing a man covered in blood being taken away in a police car from a quiet village.

Police have confirmed a man, 47, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a female in her 60s died.

The woman was found seriously injured on Friday afternoon in the flats after reports of a man behaving suspiciously in a nearby street.

Paramedics and police battled to save her, but she was declared dead at the scene in Readers Court, Great Baddow near Chelmsford, Essex.

One resident living near the flats said: ‘My sister’s boyfriend heard a woman screaming.

A woman in her 60s died at the scene of the attack in Great Baddow, Essex on Friday. Picture shows the scene on Saturday

Paramedics and police battled to save her, but she was declared dead at the scene

Neighbours said they ‘heard a woman screaming’ before seeing a man covered in blood being taken away in a police car from the village. Picture shows the police forensic investigation taking place on Saturday

‘Later there was this guy who was covered in blood getting checked over in an ambulance. A police van reversed right up to it so he could be transferred inside and taken away.’

Neighbours said that they believed the woman had been visiting a male relative who lived in a one bedroom flat in the block.

Another neighbour said: ‘I think this woman used to regularly visit a man who lived in the flats to help him out with shopping and other things. It is just awful.’

IT worker Scott MacDonald, 63, who lives opposite said: ‘We saw white-suited forensics officers here last night. I am absolutely shocked.’

The entrance to the flats remained cordoned off by police today as well-wishers left flowers at the scene.

Detectives said they were called at around 2.30pm on Friday to reports of ‘a suspicious male’ in nearby Dorset Avenue, Great Baddow.

Great Baddow which borders the city of Chelmsford is known as an urban village with a population of around 15,000 people, making it the second largest village in England after Bradfield, South Yorkshire.

The entrance to the flats remained cordoned off by police today as well-wishers left flowers at the scene

Neighbours said that they believed the woman had been visiting a male relative who lived in a one bedroom flat in the block

Essex Police said they are seeking the public’s help in determining what happened

An Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘Officers quickly attended and after engaging with the man attended an address in Readers Court where they found a seriously injured woman inside a property.

‘Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the woman, 60s, was, sadly, pronounced dead at the scene.

‘A 47-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.’

Detective Chief Superintendent Rob Kirby of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: ‘I know that this will cause this quiet community great concern and fully understand they will have questions about what has happened, but I would ask that people don’t speculate.

‘We are working to establish the facts leading up to the woman’s death and we will remain at the scene whilst we carry out our enquiries.

‘I would like to reassure the community that we will be conducting high visibility patrols in the Great Baddow area for several days. And whilst officers are at the scene, please feel free to approach them and they will listen to your concerns.

‘I’d ask anyone who has information or footage of any part of the incident, particularly in the areas of Readers Court and Dorset Avenue that could help our investigation, to get in contact.’

Anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or other footage in relation to this incident, should contact Essex Police.

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