Four held in custody after man is 'beaten to death in front of Stratford theatre'

Police are currently holding two men and two women in custody on suspicion of murder after a 36-year-old man was beaten to death in the historic town

The 36-year-old victim, who has not been formally identified, died at the scene after being assaulted on a town centre street (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Four people are being held in police custody after a man was beaten to death in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The 36-year-old victim, who has not been formally identified, died at the scene after being assaulted on a town centre street near the town’s famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre yesterday afternoon.

Four people including two men aged 39 and 41 and two women aged 26 and 37 have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are being held in custody.

A fifth person has also been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the attack.

Warwickshire police are appealing for witnesses and have closed off the town centre where the attack happened.

A Warwickshire Police spokesman said: “The road is currently closed at the roundabout on Guild Street/Birmingham Road, next to Shakespeare Street, whilst police carry out their inquiries."

"The arrests are in relation to an assault on Arden Street at around 4.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 23 June). The victim, a 36-year-old man, who has not yet been formally identified, died at the scene following the assault."

"A 39-year-old man from Stratford-upon-Avon, a 41-year-old man from Stratford-upon-Avon, a 26-year-old woman from Wellesbourne and a 37-year-old woman from Stratford-upon-Avon have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They are currently in custody."

A witness to the attack who wished to remain anonymous told The Mirror: “It all spilled over from this street up to the Birmingham Road."

”I think the man was trying to get away but they chased him down and assaulted him very badly. It is very sad he has died."

“There's always a lot of tourists around here and no doubt some of them would have seen it - its not the best impression of Stratford we want to portray."

”This sort of thing rarely happens and Stratford is generally a very safe town for people to come and enjoy.“