A SOUTH Ham councillor has reassured residents after a community was left stunned by a suspected double murder over the weekend.

Cllr Gary Watts has reiterated that Sunday morning's events, in which two people died and a man was arrested on suspicion of their murder, was likely an isolated incident and "completely out of character" for the area.

The victims, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 20s, were found at an address on Buckland Avenue with serious injuries on Sunday morning.

They were both pronounced dead at the scene and police say that the victims and the man in custody were known to each other.

Now, Cllr Watts, who represents the South Ham ward for Labour, has reacted to the news himself.

"I was shocked, like everybody else," he 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."

His shock was echoed by many residents that The Gazette spoke to on Monday morning, who had said the Berg Estate was usually a quiet area.

One resident said: "It is shocking around these parts. It is exceptionally quiet."

Detective Superintendent Neil Corrigan had earlier said: “We understand this incident will come as a shock to the local community.

“Please be reassured that we have a number of officers working hard at the scene and the surrounding areas to establish the exact circumstances, and a man is in custody.

“We believe all parties involved in this incident were known to one another.

“If you live in the area and have any information or concerns about this incident, do not hesitate to speak with one of our officers if you see them, or give us a call on 101 quoting Operation Carnation.”