POLICE tonight issued an update on their murder inquiry following a fight in Old Leigh in which a teenager died from a single stab wound to the heart.
The 18-year-old, named locally by friends as Luke Bellfield, died following a fight in Old Leigh.
Officers say they are stepping up patrols in Old Leigh, launching a dispersal zone and using special stop and search powers in their investigation.
Police say the teenager was assaulted in an alleyway near the Peterboat pub in High Street and taken to hospital by two people at around 6pm yesterday.
He sadly died a short time after being admitted.
A post-mortem examination found he died as a result of a single stab wound to the heart.
Det Chief Insp Stuart Truss, who is leading the murder investigation, said: “We’re progressing our enquiries into the circumstances behind this young man’s death and are treating it as a targeted incident.
“My officers are supporting his family at this distressing time and I fully understand the wider community will also be concerned and affected by what has happened.
“We are making good progress with our investigation and I would ask anyone considering taking matters into their own hands not to do so, but let us investigate so we can bring people to justice.”
Police say they are continuing to carry out extra patrols to ensure people feel safe and to identify anyone intent on committing crime.
- READ MORE: In pictures - from the crime scene today
A police spokesman said: "As part of this increased presence, we will also be using additional stop and search powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
"This allows uniformed officers to search people for dangerous objects and weapons without the need to have a reasonable suspicion.
"These powers have been authorised for use in Old Leigh including the High Street and surrounding area as shown in the map below. It is in place from 5pm today, Saturday 27 February, until 2am tomorrow, Sunday 28 February."
A dispersal order will also be in place in the same area at the same times.
The decision to use these policing powers is never taken lightly but we have taken this option in light of last night’s tragic events to identify and deter anyone who may be carrying weapons or intent on committing crime.
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