Additional reporting by James Pallant

The family of a missing man have been informed after human remains were found at a property and a woman was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The 50-year-old woman was taken into custody yesterday afternoon after forensics officers were spotted at an address in St Martin's Road, Canterbury.

While enquiries to establish the identity of the deceased are ongoing, police say the family of missing 65-year-old Jeremy Rickards have been informed.

Mr Rickards had been reported missing from the North Holmes Road area of the city on Friday, July 5, having not been seen since the beginning of June.

Last week, DI Louise Murphy from Kent Police’s missing persons team said Mr Rickards’ family had not heard from him for a number of weeks.

The murder investigation is being carried out by detectives and residents of St Martin’s Road are advised to expect an ongoing police presence in the area.

Pictures taken at the scene today show three houses have been cordoned off with police tape.

Residents have been adjusting to seeing their street - home to many families and students - turned into a crime scene with a large presence of police and forensics.

One neighbour, Katie Dolbear, a 21-year-old university student, told KentOnline: “It was a complete shock. We didn’t know what was going on. We just saw loads of vans pull up yesterday.

“It was quite worrying. We were a bit scared and concerned about what was going on. We double-locked the doors.

“It’s not something you expect to have on this road, especially. There’s lots of families on this road and students.”

Another student who lives on St Martin’s Road, 21-year-old Matthew Carney, said: “It’s a pretty shocking piece of news to hear.

“I wouldn’t have thought it would have been happening a few doors down from your doorstep.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the investigation team here.