Murder investigation launched after two men found dead in garden

The men were named today as 52-year-old Daniel Hatfield and 49-year-old Matthew Higgins.

Specialist officers have been deployed to support their families.

Crime scene investigators in protective boilersuits continued to scour the scene at 7, May Street today.

Police have arrested two women, 27 and 36, and a 38-year-old man. All three remain in custody.

Local house-to-house, CCTV and forensic enquiries are continuing as part of the murder investigation.

The bodies were discovered on Friday evening after a woman who had just moved in next door spotted a leg sticking out from under a duvet when she was showing her garden to a friend.

Detective Superintendent Matt Hutchinson from Major Crime said: “The two victims in this case died have sustained serious injuries and police are carrying out a large number of enquiries to establish when they were killed and identify the people responsible.

“We are supporting the victims’ families and keeping them informed about developments in the case and what we are doing to identify those responsible.”

Det Supt urged people to help piece together what had happened in the run up to the murders.

He said: “I would urge anyone with information about the movements of Daniel Hatfield and Matthew Higgins between Monday 18 April and Friday 22 April to call the investigation team.

“We also want to speak to people who know anything about the murder or have information about peoples attending or leaving 7 May Street in the week prior to the men being discovered.

“It is important to re-iterate that these murders are being treated as an isolated incident, however high visibility patrols will continue in the area to provide additional reassure to the local community.”