NEIGHBOURS of murdered pensioner Alan Irwing say they are living in terror despite police assurances they have nothing to fear.

The backlash comes after Thames Valley Police issued a statement claiming to know the identity of Mr Irwing's killer and assuring High Wycombe's residents that "he posed no immediate danger", to them.

One Bowerdean resident said: "The people who say there is nothing to worry about, don't have to live here knowing the murderer is still out there."

Another resident said: "They think Alan probably knew his attacker, in which case we probably know him too."

Alan Irwing, 74, was discovered by neighbours last Thursday lying in a pool of blood on the pavement, just metres from his home in Underwood Road, High Wycombe.

Further down the street more Bowerdean residents said they had been too frightened to leave the house at night since the attack and were scared to be in by themselves during the day, always locking their doors from the inside.

But youngsters showed no fear as they openly played at being murder victims late into the night in the same street it had occurred.

A police road check on Thursday night, exactly one week on from the murder, has helped to alleviate some people's concerns.

Eleven traffic police and crime investigation officers stationed themselves at the junction between Bowerdean Road and Underwood Road questioning the drivers and passengers of every car from 10pm until 11.30pm searching for new witnesses.

One previously concerned resident said: "It makes me feel a bit better to see the police actually doing something about finding the murderer and I really hope they catch whoever is responsible."

Five arrests were originally made after Mr Irwing's death three teenagers were released without charge and two are on bail pending further enquiries.

Police say their main suspect is not one of the five.

A police spokesman said it was normal to carry out road checks for murder investigations but the success of the operation was down to chance, finding people with information who had not yet come forward.