Neighbours tell of ‘heartbreak’ after boy, six, found dead at home and woman, 41, who he lived with arrested on suspicion of murder

A community in South Wales has been left reeling after a woman was arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a six-year-old boy. 

Police are probing the ‘suspicious’ death after officers rushed to a house in the Gendros area of Swansea last night. 

Neighbours said the woman and young child had moved into the property within the past year and were originally from Poland.

Tony Creen, 62, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years said he had never seen anything like it before.

He said: ‘We were sitting there last night and heard a lot of police sirens going off and helicopter going on.

Police at the scene in Swansea where a six-year-old boy was found dead 

‘We saw people looking out down that end so we came out, my wife and I. We got down there and could see everything going on – tons of police cars and flashing lights.

‘Evidence people were literally running down there and a helicopter landing in a park over the road.’

Mr Creen continued: ‘It’s shocking. You just don’t think this thing would happen on your doorstep. It’s very sad.

‘You hear these things on the news but you don’t think it’s going to happen where you live.

‘I feel sorry for the people down there or anyone who knows the woman.’

‘It’s very, very upsetting.’

South Wales Police said the 41-year-old woman and youngster lived at the address on Cwm Du Close together. 

They said the woman had been arrested on suspicion of murder and that they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. 

Neighbour Dominic Nutt, 46, told BBC Wales he was putting his children to bed when he saw emergency vehicles out of his window.

He said: ‘There seemed to be an armed response van and police running towards the house there.

‘It was very scary and there was quite a lot of activity.

Neighbours said the woman and young child had moved into the property within the past year and were originally from Poland (picture shows police at the scene) 

‘Then an ambulance came and then we saw a helicopter which landed near the library – the people living here were coming out of their houses and seemed confused.

‘It’s the kind of neighbourhood that if you want to keep yourself to yourself you can, but there is a community feeling here, people here look out for each other.

‘The close was like a ghost town this morning, people in shock.’

Another mum who had lived on the street for four-and-a half years with her young daughter said there were ‘lots of police’ at the end of the close.

She said: ‘I didn’t know them.

‘I like this place and when I heard the news yesterday I was shocked. I didn’t expect it at all.’

Chief Superintendent Chris Truscott, divisional commander for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, said: ‘This is a distressing incident which will be a shock to the local community.

‘Detectives are working to establish the circumstances of the child’s death and there will be an increased police presence in the area to offer reassurance to local residents.

‘Speculation on social media is unhelpful and will cause distress to those affected by this incident at an already difficult time.’

The road was cordoned off this morning, with police guarding the scene.