THREE councillors have called for more police patrols after two people were killed in South Ham at the weekend.

A man in his 60s and a woman in her 20s were found with serious injuries at an address in Buckland Avenue in the early hours of Sunday morning, and were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 52-year-old, known to the victims, was arrested in Kiln Road, Sherborne St John at around 4am.

Now, the ward councillors for Sherborne St John have called for more police presence over "the coming weeks to reassure residents".

Cllr Tristan Robinson also added that police believe there is no risk to the public.

Posting to Facebook, he said: "Many people will have seen the terribly sad news of a double homicide in South Ham.

"Police searched a property in Sherborne St John and I have spoken to Cllr Simon Bound, Community Safety Lead at the Borough who has spoken to the District Commander for Basingstoke.

"This comes as a shock to everyone in Basingstoke, but the Police have said they believe all parties involved in the incident knew each other and there is no risk to the wider public.

"Cllr Simon Bound, Cllr Jay Ganesh and I have called for an increased police and CSPO presence in the coming weeks to reassure residents.

"If you have any information or concerns about this incident, please do speak to a Hampshire Constabulary officer if you see them, or give them a call on 101 quoting Operation Carnation."

It comes as South Ham ward councillor sought to reassure the community.

"I was shocked, like everybody else," Cllr Gary Watts told The Gazette.

"You don't expect that sort of thing to happen in South Ham and certainly not Buckland Avenue.

"It is a bungalowed road and the demographic is generally elderly. It is all private-owned and you generally don't get many issues down there as a councillor.

"To have a double murder down there is completely out of character."

He urged residents to "keep calm", adding: "This is an isolated case and don't jump to judgements until all the evidence is presented."