Police have determined a stab wound to the chest killed a 21-year-old man in Pitsea on Saturday.

A forensic post-mortem examination held yesterday determined the cause of death, as a police cordon remained in place at the scene in Little Garth, off Pitsea Road.

Officers were called to reports of an injured man shortly before 8.45pm on Saturday July 7, however despite the best efforts of paramedics the man sadly passed away at Basildon Hospital a short while later.

Detective Inspector Stuart Truss, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “We believe this was a targeted and isolated incident and there’s no risk to the wider public.

“Our investigation is progressing well and we continue to carry out enquiries at the scene where a cordon is in place.

“Due to this I expect part of Pitsea Road to be remain closed off through the early part of tomorrow and through to the afternoon.

“If you normally use that route to go to work I’d advise planning ahead and using a different route.

“We are continuing to appeal for information and my team needs to speak to anyone who saw or heard anything, has CCTV or was driving in the area and has dash cam footage.

“It doesn’t matter how insignificant you think the information you have is, we need to speak to you.”

If you have any information call Essex Police on 101 quoting incident 1418 of 07/07 or email scd.appeals.essex@essex.pnn.police.uk

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.