A 49-YEAR-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman's body was discovered at a property in Bromsgrove.

Police were called to the property in Cloverdale, Stoke Prior, at 11.52pm on Sunday (December 31), where they discovered a woman with what is believed to be a knife injury.

The woman was declared dead at the scene at 12.12am this morning (Monday) by paramedics and the man was arrested at the scene.

The 44-year-old’s next of kin has been informed and officers are awaiting formal identification.

Inspector Jake Wright said: “I understand that this incident is concerning for local people.

“I'd like to reassure them that we will have extra officers in the area over the coming days and if anyone has any concerns they can speak to one of these officers.”

Neighbours said five police vehicles and an ambulance pulled up outside the semi-detached property as fireworks were let off in surrounding streets to mark the new year.

Local resident Paul Cross said a man wearing pyjama bottoms was led away from the house in the Stoke Prior area of Bromsgrove shortly after midnight and put into a police van.

Mr Cross, 60, said: "A couple live there who had two adult sons. What has happened is extremely sad - it's not the sort of thing you expect round where we live."

One neighbour said the couple had lived at the house for around seven years, but she only knew their first names after living nearby for around three years.

"They kept themselves to themselves and I only knew them to say hello to," the woman said.

Anyone with information that could help police with their enquiries should call 101 and quote incident 679s of 31 December 2017.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org