Man Killed And Several Injured At Private Party In Surrey

Neighbours say they were woken in the early hours by the sound of cars speeding away from the property, which had been rented.

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was killed at a private party in Surrey.

It is not clear how the victim, in his thirties, died but Anne Legeunde Lacroix, who lives nearby, posted on Twitter: "Suspected shooting at party in Headley, Surrey."

Several other people at the party are believed to have been seriously injured.

Locals said they were woken in the early hours by the sound of cars honking their horns as they tried to get away from the house - which is thought to have been rented for the party.

Surrey Police said officers were called to the address in Church Lane in Headley shortly after 2.30am following reports of a disturbance.

They found the body of a man in his thirties, who was declared dead at the scene.

Neighbours said the bungalow in the quiet village is owned by a property developer who rents it out for parties and there had been concerns raised about previous events.

Nick Woolley, who lives near the property, said: "There was a very loud private party in a house very close to the church which started at 5pm and I was awoken by very loud music, rap-style.

"I was woken at 2.30am by cars honking their cars, trying to get away from it. It was a very loud party with a DJ which was disturbing anyone near it.

"About 3am a police helicopter was overhead and it was circling for 45 minutes. The village is now swarming with police."

Local councillor David Preedy, who lives a quarter of a mile from the murder scene, said: "There was a noisy party last year that I know was problematic.

"It started at 11pm and went on until 5am on Monday morning so was decidedly unpopular.

"When it was clear that the repeat was being organised, I notified the police on behalf of the parish council and on behalf of the community.

"Obviously I didn't realise what was going to happen."

Another resident said: "I drove past the house last night and there were lots of people, there were cars parked everywhere, in people's driveways.

"There were lots of women in brightly coloured African dresses.

"I drove past again at 5.30am on my way to work and it was cordoned off, it had all kicked off."

David Baxter, who has friends in Church Lane, said he believed the fee to rent the house had been paid in euros - suggesting some of those attending may have been from overseas.

No arrests have been made but police say there is no ongoing risk to residents in the area.

A police cordon is in place and the road is expected to remain closed for several hours while the investigation continues.

Police want to speak to anyone who was at the party and may have seen the incident.

The victim has not yet been formally identified and a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death will take place.