FOUR people - including a 15-year-old boy - have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was stabbed to death in a Pitsea park.

Police were called to Northlands Park at 1.35am yesterday after receiving reports a man had been injured.

When officers arrived, they found the man with a stab wound to his stomach.

He was taken to hospital, but later died.

Residents feared the worst when spotting a police helicopter circling overhead during the middle of the night, with a cordon put in place at the park yesterday morning.

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Four people - a 42-year-old woman, two men aged 41 and 45, and a 15-year-old boy - have all been arrested on suspicion of murder and were taken into police custody.

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said has been left shaken by the incident, with it taking place near her home. 

The 66-year-old said: “It’s got to the point now where you feel like you can’t even go to the shops, I wouldn’t even attempt to walk down my alleyway.

“Northlands is usually rough and there’s always trouble over there, but it’s so dreadful it’s come to this.

“There are families who use the park regularly as well, I feel sorry for them too.”

Craig Rimmer, councillor for Pitsea South East, heard the helicopter from his home and was saddened to find out about the tragic event which had unfolded.

He said: “I thought something had happened in the night, I live nearby and I could hear the helicopter over my house and in the neighbourhood around 2am. It’s very shocking and sad, I really do feel for the family and would like to send them my condolences, well wishes and support.”

Det Insp Kev Hughes, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “I know this incident will concern people living around the Northlands Park area but I want to reassure them we do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the wider public.

“At this time we believe this was a targeted incident with those involved known to each other.”

Essex Police assistant chief constable, Andy Prophet, paid tributes to his officers for their quick action, and added: “We will have additional officers in the area of Northlands Park as we continue with this investigation.”

Call 101 and quote incident 114 of July 11.