A MURDER investigation has got underway following the fatal stabbing of a 41-year-old man in the Gibbonsdown area of Barry.

Police officers responded to reports of a stabbing in Columbus Close at around 10pm on Monday. (August 3) A 30-year-old local man has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder.

The victim, Paul Michael Jones of Caradoc Avenue, Barry, was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff, but died shortly afterwards.

Mr Jones' family have paid tribute to him. His mum Maria, said: “Paul was loving, generous and funny, with a heart of gold. He would help anybody, was always making people laugh, and I will miss our daily chats. He was a proud father who loved his children dearly. He was much loved by all his family and friends. He will be sadly missed and never forgotten. “We would like to thank everybody for their kindness and support through this tragic time. The floral tributes and warm messages have been overwhelming.”

Superintendent Paul Murphy said: "We would like to reassure the community that incidents of this nature are rare.

"This was not a random attack and early indications suggest that the two people were known to each other.

"Officers are carrying out house to house enquiries in the area and I would appeal for witnesses or anyone with information to contact us."

Columbus Close was sealed off on Tuesday with a police presence in nearby Aberaeron Close.

Police maintained a guard at a house in Columbus Close on Wednesday, August 5. Local residents have paid tribute to Mr Jones, leaving flowers by a tree near the entrance to Columbus Close.

Meanwhile, Gibbonsdown Residents' Board chairwoman Molly Conway slammed the police for a lack of manpower and patrols on an estate well known as having problems with crime and anti-social behaviour.

She said: "We are down to two police officers and one PCSO who is a young lad.

"We are not seeing police walking the beat like you have got to on this estate.

"Everyone is saying how crime is building up and nobody wants to see anybody dead which we have now.

Superintendent Paul Murphy said Gibbonsdown residents had a dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Team who were fully committed to their community and are in regular contact with many local residents via public meeting and surgeries that were advertised locally.

He added: "They are also supported by officers from the whole borough.

"The incident resulting in this death is an isolated one which is very rare for Gibbonsdown and the borough as a whole.

"We speak to Mrs Conway and other community leaders on a regular basis and will again meet with her to address any local concerns."

* Anyone who was in the vicinity of Columbus Close at around 10pm, or anyone who has any information about this incident should call the incident room on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.