Ann Widdecombe: Neighbour looked out window to see undercover police swarming Rotherham house
“I was shocked. I’ve never seen anything like it around here before”
A shocked neighbour shared how he looked outside his window to see undercover police swarming a Rotherham house over the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe.
A mid-terrace home on Byrley Road, near the junction of Burgen Road, Kimberworth Park. is cordoned off and under police guard today (July 12) following the arrest of a 28-year-old man on Saturday evening.
He is being held on suspicion of murder after Mis Widdecombe, a former Conservative MP turned Reform UK spokesperson, was found dead at her home in Dartmoor - 270 miles away from Rotherham - on Thursday, July 9.
Today, a neighbour told The Star how he looked out of his window to see their street swarming with undercover police arriving at a house.
He said: “I was making some toast in the kitchen about 7pm and heard lots of banging outside.
“When I looked, I saw loads of undercover police.
“They got him out in handcuffs at about 8pm.
“They took his car, a red Corsa, this morning.
“Police have been here all day, coming and going.
“I was shocked. I’ve never seen anything like it around here before.”
It is reported Ms Widdecombe may have died sometime around midday on Wednesday, before her body was found the following day.
Today, officers in white forensic suits were seen working at the Kimberworth address, which included searches of bins and bushes.
They were also seen as leaving the property with “boltcutters and chains.”
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said a 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder in Rotherham.
He told reporters on Sunday: “At this point, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident and at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this murder.
“At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated.”
He said detectives “remain open-minded about the potential motive” and stressed it is not believed there is any threat to the wider public.
He added: “We are aware of online and public speculation, particularly with regards to motive.
“Again, I urge people not to share or engage with that speculation – it’s unhelpful, it doesn’t aid our investigation, and particularly, it’s distressing to the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe.”