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Braunstone Town: Police at scene where 80-year-old died

Five children have been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 80-year-old man died following a serious assault in a park in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire Police have said.

A boy and a girl aged 14 and one boy and two girls aged 12 were arrested by police, the force said on Tuesday, September 3.

Leicestershire Police have launched a murder investigation after the elderly man died in hospital from injuries sustained in Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, on the evening of September 1 at around 6.30pm.

The alleged assault happened close to the park’s entrance in Bramble Way. A group of young people allegedly fled the scene before emergency services arrived, according to Leicestershire Police.

Detectives want to speak to anyone who was in the park or the area of Bramble Way between 6pm and 6.45pm on Sunday.

Leicestershire Police has launched a murder investigation after the elderly man died in hospital (Image: Leicestershire Live)

Det Insp Emma Matts, senior investigating officer, said: “Sadly, following the death of the victim last night, this has now become a murder investigation.

“Officers are continuing to work at speed to establish the details of the attack and we have made a number of arrests as we continue to understand what has happened.”

She added police still need people to come forward if they were in the area around the time of the incident or have any information which could assist the investigation.

The 80-year-old is believed to have been wearing a black jumper and grey jogging bottoms.

She said: “Were you in the area of Franklin Park or Bramble Way around 6.30pm on Sunday night? Did you see the attack itself?

Police have arrested five children after a dog walker, 80, was killed in a park attack (Image: Leicestershire Live)

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“From the description given did you see the victim before the incident or possibly a group of young people leaving the area after?

“A scene preservation will remain in place at the park while our investigation progresses. Local officers are also in the area carrying out reassurance patrols and can speak to anyone in the local community who has concerns.”

Leicestershire Police said in a statement it will make a voluntary referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct because of prior contact with the victim.