POLICE are investigating after the body of a young man aged 21 was discovered in Bournemouth this morning.

Paramedics were called to the private car park and wooded area at Richmond Gardens after the discovery was made shortly before 6am.

Someone who works at the Dalkeith Arcade spotted the man as they arrived for their morning shift.

The police were then alerted, with officers cordoning off the area to begin their inquiries.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said the identity of the man would not be publically confirmed as officers had not yet been able to speak to his next of kin.

She said: “At 6.02am on Thursday, August 21, Dorset Police received a report of a sudden death of a man in his twenties just outside the Dalkeith Arcade along Richmond Gardens in Bournemouth.

“The death is not believed to be suspicious but enquiries are ongoing.

“The next of kin have not been informed yet but the coroner has been made aware.”

A spokesperson from South Western Ambulance Service said paramedics were called to the scene at approximately 5.50am.

“We were called to the Dalkeith Arcade after reports of a casualty,” he said.

“An ambulance attended, but unfortunately discovered that the man was deceased.”

He was unable to give further information about a possible cause of death.

Workers at Dalkeith Arcade said they were shocked to hear of the young man’s death.

Suna Barmagic, owner of the House of Stitch, said: “I got in around 10am and saw the police outside.

“It wasn’t until I came inside that I heard what had happened.

“It’s shocking. He was just starting life. I feel so sorry for his family.”

Tim Owen-Smith, who works as a volunteer at Healthy Planet, said he was saddened to hear the news.

He said: “I heard from my colleagues. I came out and police had cordoned it all off.

“We don’t know what happened to him. It’s very sad.”

A white forensics tent was erected in the car park and CID officers were on the scene.

The car park is situated at the rear of the Richmond Gardens shopping centre.