A murder suspect tried to hand himself into police after a woman was found stabbed to death in her home – but was unable to because the front desk was closed.
The 51-year-old attempted to hand himself in at the John Street police station in Brighton but had to wait to call officers and direct them to the scene where the woman’s body was found.
Police then found the 46-year-old woman with multiple stab wounds at her home in Sandgate Road in Brighton, East Sussex, before arresting the man on suspicion of murder.
The 51-year-old attempted to hand himself in at the John Street police station in Brighton (pictured) but had to wait to call officers as the desk was closed
Police found the 46-year-old woman with multiple stab wounds at her home in Sandgate Road in Brighton, East Sussex
The 51-year-old man from Seaford, who police believe was known to the victim, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Superintendent Ed De La Rue told The Argus he was ‘aware residents may be concerned that the man was unable to immediately see an officer’ at the station.
He told the paper: ‘It is not 24 hour opening. Although the public office may be closed it is a 24/7 police station and officers got to the man very quickly.
‘Even though it is a city, Brighton is a safe place.’
Officers late cordoned off a second crime scene outside a Job Centre in the city, near the police station.
It is understood that is where the man was arrested after being unable to speak to anyone at the city’s main police station which opens to the public at 8am.
A police cordon in Sandgate Road, Brighton, East Sussex, as officers launched a murder inquiry
Police say the suspect and victim were known to each other and are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with the incident
The road was sealed off while scores of officers began to search the area for evidence and officers carried out house-to-house inquiries
The road where the woman was found was sealed off while scores of officers began to search the area for evidence and officers carried out house-to-house inquiries.
Resident James Boardman said: ‘My partner thought she heard some sort of argument at about 11.30pm outside in the street and then a car driving off.
‘I was up at 7.30am and saw the police had cordoned off the whole road.
‘It’s awful and you can’t quite believe it when it happens on your doorstep.’
Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.
Detective Chief Inspector Till Sanderson from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: ‘We would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in or around Sandgate Road between 6pm on Wednesday and 6am on Thursday.’
‘It appears that both suspect and victim were known to each other and we are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.’