Millisle Beach: Body found washed up at UK beauty spot as major incident declared

A major incident has been declared after a body was found washed up on a popular beach.

services raced to Milisle beach in County Down, , on Wednesday afternoon in a "major incident" declared after a body was found. A joint response of police, forensics, and coastguard units were spotted by locals at the scene after it was understood they were alerted earlier today. Locals and others planning to visit the beach today have been told to avoid the area by Police Service Northern Ireland () representatives while investigations are ongoing, after councillors suggested the body was "brought in from the sea".

reports that Pete Wray, a local councillor for UUP, said PSNI would need "time and space" to conduct the investigation, adding that his "thoughts and prayers" would be "with the family who will be impacted".

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Local UUP councillor Pete Wray said: "Sadly I can confirm that a body has been found on Millisle beach this afternoon. Initial reports indicate the body has been brought in from the sea. PSNI remain at the scene and I would ask everyone to give them the time and space to conduct their investigation."

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family who will be impacted by this and the individual who found the body." Stephen Dunne, a councillor for North Down DUP MLA, said he was left "shocked" after hearing the news.

He added that he also sent his "thoughts and prayers". He said: "I was shocked by the news that a body had been discovered on a quiet beach in Millisle. My thoughts and prayers are with this individual's family and friends at this most difficult time." The councillor added that Millisle is a "tight-knit community", and that the grim discovery has caused a "great deal of concern" in the local area.

"Millisle is a tight-knit community, and there is understandably a great deal of concern locally after what has been a distressing week for the village."

"I will be working with the PSNI to ensure the local community feels safe and reassured, but I would urge everyone to give the Police the space and time needed to conduct their investigations and avoid unnecessary speculation at this time." Pictures from the scene show forensics teams clad in white suits combing through the rocky shores of the beach.

PSNI said in an official statement that cordons have been placed as investigators work and reiterated the request for people to avoid the area.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the said: "Police are currently in attendance after a body was found on the beach in the Donaghadee Road area of Millisle today, Wednesday 21st May. Cordons are in place and the public is asked to avoid the area."