Tributes have been paid to a father with a “heart of gold” who was stabbed to death after an alleged argument about motorbike noise.

Norfolk Police have launched a murder investigation after a man, named locally as Dean Allsop, was fatally stabbed in Thorpe St Andrew, near Norwich

Officers were called to Primrose Crescent shortly after 7.35pm on Wednesday following reports of a disturbance involving a number of people.

The force said officers found four people who were injured and, despite treatment by paramedics, one of them died at the scene.

Three other people were taken to hospital with suspected knife wounds.

Police arrested two men at the scene in connection with the incident who will be questioned in due course.

A white forensic tent was in place in a garage area on the estate as investigations continued on Thursday, with a section of road nearby sealed off by police tape.

Neighbour Aaron Barkshire, 29, was friends with Mr Allsop and said they got to know each other through motorbikes.

Motorcycle mechanic Mr Barkshire said that both Mr Allsop and Mr Allsop’s teenage son had trail bikes and kept them in a shed in their garden.

“The guy had a heart of gold, he really did,” said Mr Barkshire.

“He treated my kids like one of his own.

“It’s very difficult.”

On Thursday, two trail bikes under covers – believed to be Mr Allsop’s and his son’s – were parked within the section of road taped off by police.

Mr Barkshire said that on Wednesday evening, as the bikes were being taken out, there was a verbal argument between Mr Allsop and another man which “turned nasty pretty quickly”.

“He just didn’t like the noise,” said Mr Barkshire.

“That something so trivial has led to this is phenomenal.”

He said that he locked himself in his garage, “fearing for my life”, and when he came back out he saw Mr Allsop “covered in blood”.

He said that Mr Allsop’s son told him: “Aaron, call the police – Dean’s been stabbed multiple times.”

Mr Barkshire said: “The news he’s passed away has hit me quite hard.”

Superintendent Tracey Little said: “A number of police resources, including armed units, were deployed to the scene.

“A murder investigation has been launched and we are in the early stages of our inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We would like to hear from anyone who may witnessed the incident or has information concerning it.”

Anyone with information should contact Norfolk Police on 101.