POLICE have now identified the victim in a Southampton murder as a 28-year-old woman.

Officers were called to an address in Spear Road just before 10pm on Saturday following reports of a serious assault at the property.

People living in the Spear Road area claimed the victim was a woman who had suffered a fatal knife wound.

The body of a 28-year-old woman was subsequently discovered inside the address.

Her next of kin has been informed, however formal identification is yet to take place.

A 29-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of murder and was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries sustained during the incident.

Detective Inspector Toby Elcock said: “This investigation is in the very early stages and we are continuing to work to establish the full circumstances.

“We would like to reassure people that this was an isolated incident, and we believe the people involved are known to each other.

“Officers are currently at the scene and will be making enquiries in the area.

"We understand these sorts of incidents can be very concerning to residents, so do not hesitate to speak to our officers if you see them to raise any concerns, or to provide any information you have that could assist us.”

The house at the centre of the investigation is a semi-detached property.

Over the weekend the home was sealed off with tape which stretched across an alleyway.

A uniformed police officer was standing guard outside the front door and a colleague was at the end of the alleyway, looking into the back garden.

A forensic expert wearing a face mask and a white boiler suit went to and from the house on several occasions.

Police vehicles were parked in Spear Road and neighbouring Earls Road.