Bedfordshire Police officers found a 17-year-old boy dead after responding to reports of a suspected burglary in Linslade, near Leighton Buzzard. The force said officers were called at about 10.25pm on Thursday to a possible break-in at Soulbury Road.
Emergency response and arrest
Emergency services attended and found the boy unresponsive. First aid was given, but he was pronounced dead shortly after. A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder, and three other men were arrested in connection with the incident.
The boy's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
Investigation and bail
The incident is under investigation by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit. In an update on Saturday evening, police said all four men have since been released on bail.
Det Insp Caeva Taylor said on Friday the initial 999 call was to report a possible break-in. She said police have so far found "no evidence whatsoever that the victim was carrying out, or attempting to carry out, a burglary".
Appeal for information
Ms Taylor said: "This is an incredibly tragic incident in which a 17-year-old boy has lost his life and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time." Officers have been speaking to locals and reviewing CCTV.
Bedfordshire Police urged the public to provide any information, especially doorbell or CCTV footage. Anyone with information can visit beds.police.uk/ro/report, call 101 and quote reference Operation Breakwater, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.
