Detectives investigating the circumstances of the death of a woman in Poole are issuing an update.
Dorset Police received a report at 4.52pm on Monday 1 December 2025 from the ambulance service of the sudden death of a woman aged in her 80s at an address in Higher Blandford Road, Poole.
Officers attended, and while inside the address, they noticed signs of a possible burglary.Â
A cordon was put in place at the scene to allow enquiries to be carried out to establish the full circumstances of the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.
An investigation was launched into the death and following enquiries, officers arrested three people – a 32-year-old man from Verwood, a 30-year-old man from Wimborne and a 16-year-old boy from Romsey – on suspicion of murder and burglary.
They have been released on police bail as enquiries continue.
Following further investigative work, officers have made two additional arrests. A 22-year-old man from Wimborne and a 21-year-old man from Alderholt were also arrested on suspicion of murder and burglary. They have also now been released on police bail.
Detective Inspector Shaun Inkpen, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), said: “Our thoughts very much remain with the family and friends of the woman who sadly died. This investigation has been fast paced and the five arrests have been made to assist officers in gathering as much information as they can while providing legal protection to the individuals.
“As we continue our investigation, I would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Higher Blandford Road, near the junction with Cotton Close, between Friday 28 November and Monday 1 December 2025, and witnessed any suspicious activity or captured any relevant dashcam footage.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55250176741. Alternatively, independent charity
