A SUBURBAN community has been left shocked and saddened by the death of David Lavender at a Chester park used by families with young children.

Edgar’s Field in Handbridge remained closed to the public for most of Monday to allow a forensic examination following the discovery of David Lavender’s body the previous evening.

Cllr Razia Daniels, who attended the scene, said: “Crime is going down in Handbridge and this is terrible. It’s absolutely shocking.”

John Murray, of Queens Park, who runs the Handbridge.com website, said: “I have never known anything like it. I have lived here 15 years but I’m not aware of any previous murder enquiries. There is very little violent crime. People who have emailed me are very shocked.”

Sally and Davin Harris, owners of The Ship Inn, are fully cooperating with the police because Mr Lavender’s body was found at the side of The Ship although none of the individuals concerned had been in the pub.

Footage from The Ship’s CCTV camera, which overlooks the entrance to the park, has been handed over to detectives.

The couple said in a statement: “We are incredibly saddened by the news that a man was found in Edgar’s Field in Handbridge near to The Ship Inn. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim.

“I am sure that the local business owners and residents will agree that this is a tragic event, and a great concern to everyone in the community. We feel it is very important to reassure our neighbours and friends that there is no link between this event and The Ship Inn.”

A group of local mothers, who gathered opposite the crime scene, said they regularly visited the park with their children but were now apprehensive about going there. “It makes me scared,” said one. “We come here all the time.”

Sergeant Anton Sullivan, of Cheshire Police, offered reassurances to the public.

He said: “In Cheshire crimes of this nature are rare and Handbridge in particular is a safe place to live.

“Arrests have been made and local officers are carrying out patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the community.

“We will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure that crimes such as this remain a rarity.”