Police search home of man arrested in Rotherham over murder of Ann Widdecombe  – as neighbours say officers surrounded the property an hour before England’s World Cup quarter-final match

Police were today continuing to search the home of a man arrested by armed officers on suspicion of murdering Ann Widdecombe.

Forensic experts remain at the mid-terrace address on council land in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, while uniformed officers stand guard outside.

Neighbors said around a dozen armed police knocked loudly on the door after surrounding the property last night, an hour before the start of England’s World Cup match against Norway.

The suspect, one of three siblings described by locals as a ‘loner’ and who had rarely left home since his father’s death last year, answered the door and was arrested.

One of the man’s brothers is believed to live in Devon, while the second brother and his mother are also said to live in the area.

This afternoon the house was cordoned off and guarded by police, with a dark blue tactical support unit, another police van and a four-wheel drive police vehicle parked outside.

Shocked neighbors had gathered outside to watch as officers wearing white forensics suits continued to search the address.

Courtney Foster, 25, who lives next door with her partner Rayed Astle, 26, said: ‘We were in the kitchen and saw the police coming running. Some were armed. Then they knocked on the door very loudly.

Forensic officers were seen entering the house after it was confirmed there was no evidence to suggest the murder was politically motivated.

Ann Widdecombe was murdered in her home on Wednesday last week and was discovered 24 hours later

‘They didn’t break the door because he opened it. They asked him his name, he confirmed it and they took him away.’

Ms Foster said she was also concerned about the man’s dog but understood police had also taken the pet.

He added: ‘There were about 12 police officers and a number of cars. It was quite shocking.’

Describing the neighbour, Mr Astle said he had hardly spoken to anyone since his father, whom he moved in with about a year ago, died last December.

He said: ‘He was someone you could chat to, but that changed after his father died. It got very quiet. ‘He kept to himself and didn’t really talk to anyone.’

Mrs Foster added: ‘He was always at home and I don’t think he was working.’

Other neighbors said the man’s red Vauxhall Corsa ‘barely moved’ from the roadside to the extent that weeds were growing on it.

Another local resident said: ‘He is one of three siblings but was living on his own as the others had moved elsewhere.

‘His father died before Christmas and I think that affected him. He seemed to have changed as he became even more introverted.

‘You could hardly see him; so much so that you would assume the house was empty.

‘Every now and then you’d see the upstairs light on, but that was about it.’

One of the man’s brothers is believed to live in Devon, while the second brother and his mother are also said to live in the area.

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: ‘The police arrived around 21.10 in the evening.

‘There were about a dozen police officers with guns in both the front garden and the backyard.

‘They knocked on the door and he opened it. They asked his name and he was taken away.

‘It was actually quite quiet. There was no chaos. Everyone was watching the England game, so I guess it all went unnoticed by people.

‘It was very quiet when they arrived. There was no light, no noise; ‘Our Ring doorbell didn’t even ring.’

Neighbor Kingsley Whybrow, 29, said: ‘I’ve never seen anyone coming in or out of that house yet.

‘He was driving a red Corsa parked outside; It was starting to rust and plants were growing on it.

‘They came at 3am to film him.’

Speaking at a press conference today, detectives confirmed that although counter-terrorism officers were involved in the raid, the suspected attack was ‘not politically motivated’.

The former MP and MP was found dead by his gardener at his cottage in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday morning.

Officers detained a white British man on Saturday and he remains in custody.

Detectives have previously said the case was “moving at a significant pace” and “our priority continues to be identifying those responsible” for Ms Widdecombe’s death.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police initially arrested a 26-year-old man but were told he was released yesterday morning and was no longer part of the investigation.

Speaking this morning, Deputy Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was no information that the incident was linked to terrorism but officers remained ‘open-minded’ about the cause of the incident.

He added that police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the alleged murder.