DETECTIVES have launched a murder enquiry after a teenage boy died following a street attack just a few hundred yards from a police station.

Jack Gudge was assaulted near Tesco Express in Wimborne Road, Winton, in the early hours of this morning, Saturday, July 16.

Police, called to reports of a fight at 12.56am, were seen trying to resuscitate the 17-year-old as he lay unconscious on the pavement.

He was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital by paramedics, where he was pronounced dead.

Dozens of flowers - including at least 24 individual white and red roses - were laid close to the crime scene by friends and family, who are also using the hashtag #ripgudge to pay tribute on social media.

Teacher Mrs Longrigg, who teaches at Jack's school, Oak Academy in Duck Lane, Bournemouth, wrote in a card laid at the scene: "From the moment I first saw you and your cheeky grin bounce into my classroom in year 7, your personality shone and lit up the room.

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"The world is now a dimmer place without you.

"Sleep easy and shine bright, lovely Jack."

A tribute signed by 'Nanny Mon' to a "beautiful grandson" read: "Just beginning your life, and what a life it would have been.

"Missing you with all my heart.

"The pain is too much to take."

Another card signed by friend Tiarna Da-Silva read: "Cant quite believe that you have gone.

"You will be missed by so many.

"We all love you - sleep tight with the angels."

One of Jack's friends had written on a card: "Sleep tight - going to be missed by so many, such a lovely boy."

A spokesperson from the school said staff were "heartbroken" to hear the "awful news about our lovely Jack".

A Winton resident who stopped to lay flowers said: "I didn't know him, but I wanted to come and pay my respects.

"It breaks my heart thinking about it."

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Greg Soper, who owns a property in nearby Brassey Road, said he heard "screaming and fighting" during the night.

"It sounded quite loud but it was nothing crazy," he said.

Another resident said: "The area's getting worse.

"We've called out the police before because of big groups of kids."

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A coach driver who lives in Brassey Road saw paramedics and police trying to resuscitate the teenager as he returned home.

The resident said: "Police were trying to breathe air into him. They tried very hard to keep him alive."

Jack's mother and younger brother are believed to have been called to Wimborne Road by police as paramedics attempted to resuscitate him.

The Rev Roger Constantine, pastor at Bournemouth Community Church, said his team had been out praying with people in the streets.

He said: "Such a sad week with events in France and now here locally another tragic death of a young lad  in Winton.

"As a part of the community we are praying for God's comfort at such a hard time for his family and friends."

We are committed to working with all our Winton neighbours in making our area of the town a safe and vibrant place to live.

"Today we mourn with those who mourn."

Ward councillor Simon Bull said: "This is an absolutely tragic event.

"Of course, we don't yet know the full circumstances. My thoughts are very much with the boy's family."

Cllr Don McQueen said: "My sympathies are with the families involved and I wish police all the best with their investigation.

"Probably 20 lives have been ruined when you look at all the people involved.

"My sympathies are with all the families - in particular the victim's family, but to some extent the families of the culprits too.

"It is just awful for so many people - it's a terrible thing to happen,"

Three men aged 27, 24 and 23 and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently assisting police with their enquiries.

Detective Inspector Wayne Seymour, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Following the death of the boy enquiries are now underway to establish exactly what happened during the incident."

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 16:13.