Pictured: Man, 42, who fell 30ft to his death from chalk cliff in Kent as police quiz four teenagers

Four teenagers have been arrested in connection with a murder investigation after a 42-year-old man fell around 30ft to his death from a chalk cliff.

Dale Simmons, 42, is believed by police to have been pushed to his death after his body was discovered at 11am on Thursday, 14 April, near the Travis Perkins’ base in Jenkins Dale, off Chalk Pit Hill, Chatham, Kent, where the inland chalk cliff is up to 30ft high.

Named locally as Mr Simmons, he was well known to a homeless charity in the area who described him as a ‘lovely, bubbly chap’.

Two 16-year-old boys, a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old were arrested in connection with the death after the man’s body was found with injuries ‘consistent with a fall from height’.   

A spokesman for Kent Police confirmed that detectives from the serious crimes directorate had arrested four men in connection with the death which was being treated as suspicious.

They were all believed to have been known to Mr Simmonds.

‘Police officers attended an area near Chalk Pit Hill at around 11am on Thursday where the body of a man aged in his 40s was located,’ they said.

‘It is believed he died at some point the previous evening after suffering injuries consistent with a fall from height and his death is being treated as suspicious.

‘The man’s next of kin have been informed and a murder investigation is now being carried out by Major Crime detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

‘Today [Sunday] an 18-year-old man, a 17-year-old boy and two 16-year-old boys were arrested in connection with the man’s death.

‘They are all believed to have been known to the victim and remain in custody at this time.’

Mr Simmonds was well known to local homeless charity Gillingham Street Angels, and chief executive Neil Charlick told Kent Online: ‘It’s very sad for him and his family. He was local and well-known in the area and to us.

‘He was a nice fella, a lovely and bubbly type of guy.

‘He was a sound bloke and nobody had a bad word to say about him. He was always lovely and friendly.’

Two 16-year-old boys, a 17-year-old boy and one 18-year have been arrested in a murder investigation after a man in his 40s fell around 30ft to his death from a chalk cliff in Chalk Pit Hill (pictured) in Chatham, Kent. The crime scene is a residential lane which has fencing and barbed wire to protect falls off the drop of the chalk cliff

A Home Office pathologist was due to carry out a post mortem examination on his body at a Chatham hospital mortuary and a coroner will eventually open and adjourn an inquest into his death.

Chatham councillor Vince Maple said: ‘Absolutely tragic that this is now a murder investigation. My thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of the man.’

Chalk Pit Hill is a residential lane which has fencing and barbed wire to protect falls off the drop of the chalk cliff. 

Investigations have suggested that the man died at some point the previous evening, 13 April.

The area was sealed off as forensic officers carried out a detailed search.  

His death is being treated as suspicious at this time, police say. 

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A Dorset Police spokesman added: “Witnesses to the events leading up to the man’s death or anyone with information or video footage that may assist is urged to call the appeal line on 01634 792209.

‘You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.’

Mr Simmonds was well known to local homeless charity Gillingham Street Angels, and chief executive Neil Charlick (pictured) said: ‘It’s very sad for him and his family. He was local and well-known in the area and to us. He was a nice fella, a lovely and bubbly type of guy. He was a sound bloke and nobody had a bad word to say about him. He was always lovely and friendly’