Three individuals have been taken into custody on suspicion of murder following an incident in which a man reportedly went overboard from a sailing vessel and has not been located, authorities have confirmed.
Arrests Made in Connection with Missing Man
Dorset Police announced that a 46-year-old man from Poole, a 31-year-old man of no fixed abode, and a 22-year-old from Essex have been arrested as part of the investigation. All three remain in police custody and are being questioned by detectives from the murder squad. The force has not yet released any details regarding the identity of the missing individual.
According to reports, the man is believed to have entered the water from a sailing boat in the vicinity of Arne Bay between approximately 8pm and 9pm on Friday. The incident was reported to police on Sunday at 6.56pm, prompting an immediate investigation.
Forensic Searches Underway
As part of the ongoing inquiry, forensic officers were seen searching a harbourside block of flats at Baiter Park in Poole on Monday evening. A spokesperson for Dorset Police stated: "An investigation is underway into the circumstances of him going missing and the subsequent reporting of the matter two days later. His whereabouts remains unknown and detailed searches are being carried out to try and locate him."
The spokesperson added: "As part of the investigation, three men ... have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody, with the arrests made to assist the investigation in gathering information and also to provide legal protection to those involved as enquiries continue."
Appeal for Information
Police have urged the public to refrain from speculation while a thorough investigation is conducted. "Officers are working hard to establish a clear picture of what happened and we would urge people to refrain from speculating on the circumstances of this incident," the spokesperson said.
Arne Bay is a sheltered inlet and shoreline on the edge of the Arne Peninsula within Poole Harbour in Dorset. The area is well-known for the adjacent RSPB Arne Nature Reserve, a globally recognised habitat noted for its rare birds, rich biodiversity, and sweeping coastal views.
The Mirror has contacted Dorset Police for further updates on the case.
