Police investigating man's murder expand enquiries into South Tyneside

Police have confirmed that they are making enquiries in the Maple Street area of Jarrow in connection with the stabbing of a 21-year-old man in Deckham in Gateshead on Wednesday.

Enquiries led officers to an address on Mayfair Gardens where they found the man's body.

Formal identification of the victim is yet to take place, but police believe he is Jonathan Carr, who lived at the property.

Police have confirmed that the death is being treated as murder and that two men arrested, aged 20 and 21, remain in custody at this time.

Today detectives have been carrying out a number of house-to-house enquiries and searches at the address in question.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman also confirmed that police activity on Maple Street in Jarrow is in connection with the incident

A spokeswoman for the force said: "The police activity there is part of ongoing inquiries into the death of a man in Gateshead."

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Aelf Sampson said that all those involved are believed to be known to each other.

She said: "We recognise that the local community in Deckham will be concerned that a young man has been killed on their doorstep.

"I want to reassure residents that we are treating this as an isolated incident and that we do believe those involved are known to each other.

"We have been carrying out extensive enquiries with activity taking place at more than one address in Gateshead since we found Jonathan's body.

"If anyone hasn't been spoken to by police, but does have information about what happened, then please get in touch.

"Any information, no matter how small, could be vitally important to finding out the full circumstances around what has happened.

"We will continue to support the victim’s family at this difficult time and would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with what has happened."

Neighbours living near Maple Street in Jarrow say the police say arrived at a house in the street on Wednesday night and a search was being carried out.

A police car was still parked outside the premises today.

A resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Police have been on Maple Street since Wednesday.

"Police have been going in and out of a house and there are police cars parked outside of the property and in surrounding streets."

Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area of Mayfair Gardens on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police on 101 quoting log 621 02/08/18 or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.