POLICE and forensics continue to be at the scene of a murder investigation at an alleyway off Smannell Road today.

A 28-year-old man was found in a life-threatening condition at an alley at around 1am on Friday, but was pronounced dead when he arrived at Southampton General Hospital.

Two men and two women have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.

A Swallowfields resident told The Advertiser, police were back on the scene at around 7 to 7.30am this morning, and yesterday evening saw around 20 to 30 officers out in the area.

A Rimini Road resident said the police presence was reassuring.

He said : “Last night the police came to speak to us, just asked if we heard or saw anything, if we went out at all during that time. We didn’t.

“They were doing the round house to house.

“We are reassured by the police that is it not anything we need to worry about. They have to just do their enquiries.

“When they came round they couldn’t say too much they were ever so nice.

“They just said they were there to reassure us there was nothing to worry about as far as they knew and all in hand.”

A police cordon is in place at the far end of Rimini Road, which connects to the alleyway where the victim was found.

Spring Meadow Children’s Centre which is adjacent to the crime scene also remains open today with Me and My Dad’s Club running as usual.

Club secretary Sandra Horner said: “I was half expecting a phone call to see if we could still go ahead. I didn’t hear anything so thought we’ll go as normal.”

Another Rimini Road resident said he “feels safer” after the police came to speak him and his wife about the investigation.

He said: “They were asking where we were last night and did we hear anything. They said it was a murder and all confidential.

“I feel safer.”

Police are looking to speak to anyone who was in the area in the early hours of Friday morning or late Thursday night.

Anyone with any information about the incident should call the police on 101, with the reference 44180135063 or quoting Operation Driver.