THREE further arrests have been made in relation to the ongoing Pitsea murder investigation.

During a series of raids this morning, two men, aged 31 and 46, were arrested on suspicion of murder while a 17-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

The trio remain in custody for questioning.

Officers were called to Northlands Park at 1.35am on Sunday where they found a man in his 40s with a stab wound to his stomach.

He was taken to hospital but later died.

Two men, aged 41 and 45, a 42-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy who were arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on conditional bail until August 6.

A 38-year-old woman arrested as part of the investigation will face no further action.

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Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Scott Egerton, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “This is a fast-moving and intelligence-led investigation and I can confirm we carried out a series of warrants this morning in Basildon and we now have three people in custody.

“We are leaving no stone unturned and my team is working tirelessly to establish what happened in Northlands Park in the early hours of Sunday morning and the circumstances leading up to the man’s death.

“We are using the expertise of many departments within the force and the team is working around the clock.”

“I would again appeal to anyone who has not yet come forward to speak to us with the information they have to do so – no matter how insignificant you think it may be.”

A spokesman from the force, added: "If you have any information you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm. Please quote incident 114 of 11 July.

"You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."