POLICE have launched a murder investigation after the death of a man found seriously injured in Boscombe yesterday afternoon.

The casualty, who was in his 40s, was found with grievous head injuries in Churchill Gardens shortly before 4pm. He was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition, but died earlier today.

His next of kin have yet to be informed. The coroner has been notified.

A full investigation led by detectives from Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team is now under way.

Senior Investigating Officer Neil Devoto said: “At this time we are treating the death as suspicious and enquiries are underway to establish how he came to sustain his injuries.

"A post-mortem examination will be held in due course and this should give us more indication of the exact cause of his death.

“We are aware that there were a number of people in the area when this man came to sustain his injuries and I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened or has any information that could assist our investigation to please come forward.

“From our initial CCTV enquiries we know there were a number of school children in the area and I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who was on their way home from school and may have seen or heard something that could be relevant to my investigation.”

A cordon has been put in place in Churchill Road and the road remains closed between Borthwick Road and Walpole Road while crime scene investigators examine the area.

Officers are also carrying out house-to-house visits and making CCTV enquiries.

Neighbourhood Inspector Cheyne Marley said: “I appreciate this incident is understandably concerning for residents and I would like to reassure them that a full and thorough investigation is under way.

“Detectives from Bournemouth CID continue to investigate a separate stabbing incident that happened close by. From our initial enquiries, there is nothing to suggest these two incidents are in any way linked.

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team, supported by Bournemouth Borough Council's Operation Galaxy team, will be carrying out additional patrols in the area over the coming days and can be approached with any community concerns.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 2:317.