Bestival 'murder': Man arrested after body of woman found at music festival

The woman's body was found at Bestival in Dorset (file image)
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a London woman was found in woods at the Bestival music festival early today.

Police at the Dorset event were alerted just before 1am to concerns for the welfare of the 25-year-old.

Officers carried out a search and discovered the body on the edge of the festival site in Lulworth.

Dorset Police said a 28-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of murder “to enable officers to conduct an interview under caution to help establish the full circumstances”.

The woman was not believed to have suffered any obvious physical injuries and police were trying to establish the cause of death.

Tens of thousands of people attended Bestival, which ran from Thursday to yesterday and was headlined by acts including the Pet Shop Boys and The XX.

Detective chief inspector Sarah Derbyshire, of Dorset Police, said: “Following the discovery of the woman’s body we have now launched an investigation into her death. We have specially-trained officers supporting her family at this very difficult time.

“A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course and this should give us more of an indication as to the cause of her death.” Police said the investigation was being carried out by detectives from the major crime team and forensic experts were continuing to examine the scene.

Ms Derbyshire added: “We are working closely with the festival organisers and I would appeal to anyone with any information about the incident to contact Dorset Police.”

This was the first year the festival had been held at the Lulworth Estate, having previously been at the Robin Hill Country Park, near Newport, on the Isle of Wight since 2003.

Bestival organisers had increased security this year, with a greater police presence, including armed officers, and more extensive bag checks.

Described as “a hugely eclectic boutique festival”, it suffered torrential rain for three days and the main area was evacuated for around an hour yesterday due to safety concerns over high winds.

Speaking last week, chief inspector Chris Weeks, silver commander for Dorset Police at Bestival, said there was a “dedicated 24-hour policing presence, with officers carrying out high visibility patrols at the site, around the perimeter and wider Purbeck area”.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the force by calling 101 or at www.dorset.police.uk.

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