Two boys murdered in Brentwood were 16 - MP says killings are a 'dark day' for the town

TWO boys murdered in Brentwood in the early hours of Sunday were just 16, the local MP Alex Burghart has confirmed.

Police have yet to confirm their identities, but they have been named on floral tributes left at the scene as Franke and Charlie.

The official cause of their deaths has also not been released by police as post mortem examinations are still to take place, but it is understood they were stabbed.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Detectives are today continuing their enquiries into the deaths of two teenage boys in Brentwood.

"The boys sadly died as a result of injuries they sustained during a disturbance in Regency Court at about 1.30am on Sunday morning."

A third victim was treated for injuries that are neither life-threatening nor life-changing.

Eight men who were arrested on suspicion of murder remain in custody and are being questioned.

They are:

• A 19-year-old man from Grays

• A 21-year-old man from South Ockendon

• A 20-year-old man from Grays

• A 20-year-old man from South Ockendon

• A 19-year-old man from Grays

• A 20-year-old man from Grays

• A 49-year-old man from Grays

• A 40-year-old man from Brentwood

Mr Burghart said: "This is a very dark day for our town. My deepest condolences to the families of the boys who have so dreadfully lost their lives.

“To lose two 16-year-olds so needlessly and senselessly has left us all very upset.”

“Knife crime is an issue across the country and one that the government takes extremely seriously.

"I must urge anyone who has information to immediately share it with the police so that justice can be done as swiftly as possible."

The police spokesman added: "Forensic post-mortem examinations will be carried out on the two boys in the coming days and we will await those results before confirming their ages, identities and the cause of their death."

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss, said: “Our team is continuing to investigate the circumstances which led to two teenage boys sadly losing their lives in Brentwood in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“At the moment, we are exploring numerous lines of enquiry which include assessing hours of CCTV which show the area in question.!

Police have said it was a targeted attack.

A local source said: "The word among teenagers in Brentwood is that it was over a designer jacket that was stolen, but that of course has to be taken with a pinch of salt at this stage."

Mr Truss added: “We also have specially trained family liaison officers in place who are continuing to support the boys’ families.

“I am also echoing an appeal for anyone who was in the Crown Street area of Brentwood between 10pm on Saturday and 5am on Sunday morning to come forward and speak to us if they have not already done so.”

A visible policing presence will continue in Brentwood over the coming days.

Anyone with information on the incident should call us on 101 and cite incident 125 of October 24.

Information can also be given to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or going to https://crimestoppers-uk.org.