Murder squad detectives are investigating after a man was stabbed to death in the street.

The killing of the 41-year-old black man, in Little Oxcroft, Laindon, is the third in the Basildon area in as many weeks.

Police are now to carry out a "community impact assessment" in Laindon to gauge any tensions the killing may cause and flag up potential problems, such as reprisals.

Two Basildon men, aged 31 and 37, are being held for questioning.

The ambulance service was called to the scene by four members of the public just after 12.40am yesterday.

Medics spent nearly 20 minutes treating the victim before he was taken to Basildon Hospital, where he died soon after.

The man, from East London, had been stabbed three times in the chest and neck.

Residents in the street woke to a large police cordon and a forensic tent securing the murder scene, opposite Laindon Community Centre.

Officers also cordoned off a patch of woodland between Willowfield and Holst Avenue, nearly half a mile away.

Specialist search officers were seen on the land, which adjoins the A127 by the Fortune of War roundabout, but police would not confirm if any weapon had been found.

In the past three weeks, police have dealt with two other murders in the Basildon area.

Four teenagers have been charged with the murder of Simon Goddard, whose body was found on August 27 at his flat in Travers Way, Pitsea.

A week later a woman was charged with the murder of Ricky Wyatt, whose blood-spattered body was found by residents outside their homes in Little Lullaway, Pitsea.

* Anyone with information should call Brentwood Major Investigation Team on 01277 262220.