Christchurch Police have launched a homicide investigation after a body was found at an address on Armagh Street.

A spokesperson said emergency services received a report of a serious assault at an Armagh Street property at 7.35 pm Sunday.

A body was located at the address and as a result, a homicide investigation has begun.

An eyewitness staying at a backpackers on Barbadoes Street last night told Chris Lynch he saw a man covered in blood in a white top carrying a hammer running down the road before getting into a white coloured vehicle at the same time emergency services received the first call.

He said several girls were running away from the man and were yelling for help.

Minutes later a man, with a bloody top was stopped by police on Moorhouse Avenue outside the Godfreys Law building.

Police this morning said they “located a person who is assisting with the investigation.”

An eyewitness on Moorhouse Avenue said the man was covered in blood and was handcuffed behind his back.

A video sent to Chris Lynch shows a St John Ambulance officer pushing a stretcher into the driveway of a block of flats on Armagh Street earlier this evening.

Police said they believe this is an isolated incident with no further risk to the public.

A cordon is in place at the intersection of Armagh Street and Barbadoes Street and includes part of Armagh Street east of that intersection.