Murder inquiry team searches alongside canal

1:00pm Friday 4th July 2008

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A SPECIALIST search team from Wiltshire Police is today searching the towpath as part of the Barry Cooper murder inquiry.

The undergrowth on the bank of the Kennet and Avon Canal was cut back by workers from Kennet District Council to allow the seven police officers to search.

They also searched the verge by the towpath.

The search area is currently limited to a 40 metre section of the towpath but Sgt Max Whyte, in charge of the search team, said this could be widened.

Sgt Whyte said the search began last night. Officers stayed at the scene overnight and searching resumed today at about 11am.

The entire length of the towpath from London Road bridge to Couch Lane is closed off to the public.

Sgt Whyte said: "We have been working in the Devizes area since the incident last Friday. We are looking for items connected with the murder inquiry."

The officers are regular police officers who have received specialist training to undertake searches.

The canal backs on to Victoria Road.

Barry Cooper, who was 28 and of Eastleigh Road, Devizes, was fatally stabbed last Friday and was found bleeding in a stairwell in a block of flats in Victoria Road.

He was airlifted to the Great Western Hospital, Swindon, but died from his injuries the following day.

Karl Quincey, 32, of Longcroft Avenue, Devizes, has been charged with his murder and is in custody.