Terrified residents have recalled their horror at witnessing a delivery driver lying in their "wonderful" street following a fatal ambush in broad daylight. Locals in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, have been left shaken after the 23-year-old delivery driver was killed on Berwick Avenue, with four men in their 20s arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was attacked while making a delivery by a gang allegedly wielding "blades and blunt objects" at around 1.05pm on Monday, August 21. Residents rushed to lock their doors as the body of the driver, who has not yet been identified, was left lying just yards from his van, reports MirrorOnline.

DPD, the parcel delivery firm, said the victim was part of a two-man crew working for the company. Emergency services, including West Mercia Police, attended however he was pronounced at the scene despite their best efforts.

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One man recalled seeing the man's body "covered in the street" having returned home minutes after the attack happened. The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I got back home ten minutes after it happened and saw the man's body covered by a sheet in the street. My first concern was for my neighbours, young families were locking themselves in their homes until we knew what had happened.

"Police are being very tight-lipped with us, so something major has happened. It's awful that something this tragic can happen on our wonderful little estate. I have lived here 26 years and nothing like this has ever happened before. It's just indicative of the world we're living in at the moment."

Forensics at the scene Berwick Avenue in Coton Hill, Shrewsbury
Forensics at the scene Berwick Avenue in Coton Hill, Shrewsbury

Another woman added: "The first police were here around 1pm and two ambulance and the air ambulance were here. We were prevented from getting into our own homes while police investigated, so the local pub put everyone up. West Mercia Police have been brilliant though. Forensic officers were here until 11pm last night. I just know a young man has been killed while going out to work to earn a living and that's just terrible."

Police are appealing for any information about a white Mercedes or a grey Audi thought to be connected to the attack. The force said increased uniform patrols will be carried out in the area to offer reassurance to the local community. Residents said the man had just got out of a DPD delivery van when he was attacked by the gang wielding 'blades and blunt objects'.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill Nat Green said he hoped the "deeply upsetting" event was an "isolated" incident" and that "nothing like this ever happens again". "The only reaction can be one of shock and horror at this event," he told BBC Radio Shropshire. "I can't remember such an event happening in Shrewsbury myself, and in such a close-knit community that I know Coton Hill is. Many residents are going to be feeling extremely unhappy and distressed about this."

A spokesman for DPD told the Mirror: "We can confirm that a two-person DPD crew was involved in an incident on Berwick Avenue in Shrewsbury yesterday afternoon (Monday 21 August) and that sadly one of the two individuals delivering parcels was attacked and subsequently died. We are working closely with the police investigation team, but all our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this tragic time."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting log 192_I_21082023. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-org.uk.