DETECTIVES have arested four people in a murder investigation after a man was found dead in a town centre car park.

Emergency services were called to St Mary’s car park, in Balkerne Hill, Colchester, at about 8.55am yesterday.

Investigators initially labelled the death a “fatality” but last night officers confirmed a murder probe had been launched.

Overnight, four people were arrested.

Three men, aged 47, 45 and 32, and a 46-year-old woman remain in custody.

Neither Essex Police nor the East of England Ambulance Service have revealed what injuries the man - understood to the a rough sleeper - had sustained.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Investigations - two forensic officers at the scene

A force spokesman said inquires are on-going.

He added: “We have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a man’s body within St Mary’s car park on Balkerne Hill, Colchester, at around 8.55am.

“We are continuing to carry out inquiries to establish the circumstances and the cause of his death.”

The car park was closed for much of yesterday as forensic officers carried out meticulous investigations. It is expected to be shut for much of the next two days.

Anyone whose car is still parked there is asked to attend the scene where they will be instructed on what to do by police officers.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Response - police were called to the scene after a man was found to be ‘not breathing’

Witnesses reported more than five police cars being called to the scene alongside at least three ambulances.

Despite medics’ efforts, the man could not be saved.

One passing motorist said: “There were so many blue lights there.

“I couldn’t help but feel something terrible had happened.

“My heart goes out to the person’s family.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard: st Mary's car Park, Colchester, closed down by police after a body was discovered..

Mike Lilley, Colchester councillor responsible for public safety, said: “Obviously, my heart goes out to the man’s family.

“It is just terrible news.

The Labour councillor added: “It is obviously a police matter at the moment so there is little we can say about it and I would like to leave them to their investigations.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Shut - the car park was closed for most of yesterday

A spokesman for Colchester Council, which owns and runs the car park, added: “We are saddened to hear that a person was found deceased in St Mary’s car park today.

“The matter is a police issue and we are awaiting the results of their investigation.”

Darius Laws, leader of the Conservative group on Colchester Council, added: “This is clearly a sad story.

“My thoughts go out to the family and friends of the person.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard: On duty - police were initially called to the scene before they contacted the ambulance service

The cordon initially took in only the car park but it was extended towards St Mary’s Fields, to the north, and Manor Road, to the south as investigations began.

Police are still appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information on the incident should contact Essex Police on 101 quoting incident 224 of 23/04.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman added: “At 8.56am we received a call from our colleagues at Essex Police to attend an incident in Balkerne Hill, Colchester, to reports of a man who was not breathing.

“We dispatched an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance officer. Sadly the man was pronounced dead at the scene.”

After the incident, Colchester Council moved to reassure residents no parking fines would be issued while St Mary’s was closed.

The authority has warned motorists other car parks may be busier than usual because St Mary's is shut.