Everything we know so far about Southampton murder

After being involved in what police described as an 'altercation' in the early hours of Friday morning, a man in his 40s had a fatal cardiac arrest at the junction of Bernard Street and Oxford Street.

Despite paramedics' best efforts to resuscitate him, the Fareham man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two men, aged 35 and 60, from Totton were arrested on suspicion of murder and were being questioned by detectives in custody throughout yesterday.

READ MORE: Southampton murder investigation launched - as it happened

Richard Coppt, 56, who lives on Holyrood Estate nearby, was among many residents who woke up to the sight of a huge police cordon near their front door on Friday morning.

He told the Echo: "It's shocking. You don't expect it to happen in your neighbourhood.

"I've lived here for 17 years and it's a really peaceful place.

"Everyone who lives here knows each other.

"The few problems that we do seem to have round here are drug related but that seems to be from people who are passing through and use the alleyways on Bernard Street and Oxford Street for cover."

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Edwards, who is leading the investigation, appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

He said: "The family of the man who died have been informed and are being supported by officers, and our focus is providing them with answers on what has happened.

"If you have any information which could assist our investigation, however small it may seem to you, then please get in touch and share this with us."

Several police officers and police cars were stationed at the perimeter of the cordon, which closed off a large chunk of Bernard Street.

Before news of the murder broke, a resident who lives in Holyrood Estate said: "There was a fire engine in the road first thing and people walking about in white suits.

"This is normally a quiet road, we've had the odd problem with drug use over the years but that's about it, but it seems like it's more serious with all the police that are here."

While traffic coped well despite the cordon, there were concerns bars and other businesses within the cordon would not be able to open, ahead of one of the hospitality sector's busiest nights of the year.

But the cordon was lifted mid afternoon, reopening the road.

Superintendent Phil Lamb, the force's city commander for Southampton, was keen to reassure residents.

He said: "I will have officers from our local neighbourhood policing teams in the Oxford Street area. If you have any concerns then please do speak with them.

"I know this will be upsetting news to the local community, and our thoughts are with the man's family at this time."

Anyone with information can contact police online, via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers, quoting 44230521261.