Portsmouth City Council will 'proactively support' police investigation into 'tragic death' of man at Cosham library
THE discovery of a man’s body outside a city library has been branded ‘tragic’ by a civic chief.
Police were called to Cosham library at 7.17am following the grim reports of a man’s body having been found near the rear of the building.
The site has been cordoned off by police for much of this morning as forensic officers and detectives comb the area for clues.
The building is owned by Portsmouth City Council, which runs library services across the island.
Councillor Steve Pitt, deputy leader of the authority and the city’s culture and leisure chief, was left shocked by the news and insisted the council would support police in their investigation.
Speaking to The News, the senior Liberal Democrat politician said: ‘It's tragic to hear that someone has lost their life. Obviously the council will work proactively with the police and co-operate with the investigation.’
More than a dozen officers have been at the scene this morning.
The area where the body was discovered has been obscured from view by police, with a number of blankets and sheets shielding the male’s body.
It is unclear whether the man’s death is being treated as suspicious by detectives.
A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary added: ‘Officers are in the early stages of this investigation and enquiries are ongoing at this time into the exact circumstances of his death.’
Police have not yet revealed any more information about the man.
However, officers have been approaching nearby businesses to ask for any CCTV footage that might be able to assist their investigation.
News of the man’s death left residents living near the library shocked.
Grace Benjamin, 29, has lived in a flat opposite the city facility for the past four years.
She said: ‘I woke up at 8am and there were police everywhere. It was a real shock. It’s quite worrying to see so many police. I’ve never seen this many here before.’
In October, 2018, the library was the scene of a distressing incident which saw a man walk into the building and slash himself with a knife in front of horrified staff.
The property was closed temporarily and staff were offered counselling by the city council.
Cosham library has been closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Three of the city’s libraries will re-open on Monday for the first time since the national lockdown was announced in March.
The branches opening include central library, in Guildhall Square, Southsea library and North End library.
Other facilities will open at a later date.