Man shot dead after intruders break into home in Castlewood, Dorset, in early hours of morning

The area will have a 'heavy police presence' as officers hunt the killers

Police were called to the house in Castlewood, Dorset, just after 3am (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

A man in his 60s was shot dead after intruders broke into a house in Dorset in the early hours of the morning.

Police said officers went to the house in Castlewood just after 3am on Sunday after they "received reports that intruders" had gone into the property.

On arrival, officers found one of the occupants, a man in his 60s, had been shot.

He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later, police said.

A murder investigation has been launched by Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team.

The man's next of kin were aware of what had happened and the coroner was notified, the force said.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire said: "At this stage we are still trying to establish exactly what happened at the address in Castlewood and how and why this man was shot dead.

"I am appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area, or was in the area at that time, to contact Dorset Police as soon as possible

"There will be a heavy police presence in the vicinity and officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out high visibility patrols to offer reassurance to the community and can be contacted with any concerns."

Press Association