Five women - including teenager - arrested over murder of man, 37, in Rainham

Five women - including a teenage girl - have been arrested after a 37-year-old man was found with fatal injuries in Rainham last night.

Specialist detectives have launched a murder investigation after the death in Havering, and have already made arrests.

Officers have been digging up drains and combing through flowerbeds in a bid to find the weapon used in the attack.

Four women - aged between 48 and 21 - and a 17-year-old girl have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.

Emergency services were called to the small, residential cul-de-sac, Louise Gardens, Rainham, at 7.53pm, after reports of a disturbance in the street involving a group of people.

Paramedics found the 37-year-old man unresponsive, and he sadly died in their arms.

Police are still trying to determine the man’s identity and ensure his next of kin are informed.

Reports on social media indicate the man was stabbed, however Scotland Yard said officers would not be able to confirm the cause of death until later today.

The entire cul-de-sac closed off, and neighbours on nearby roads say they believe the attack happened out of eyeshot as they only saw the flashing blue lights whizz past their windows.

A nearby neighbour, who declined to give his name, said: “From what I’ve heard it might be a stabbing and they’re looking for the knife right now.”

Many have said police have asked them permission to see their CCTV, root through their gardens and look under cars in the hopes of finding important evidence.

This has come as a shock to neighbours, with one pensioner saying this is the first time anything like this happened in the residential street in her lifetime.

Beryl Harrison, 86, said: “I woke up during the night and saw the bright blue lights - I looked out the window and saw the cars and wondered what was going on?

“I didn’t see anyone running or anyone about.

“Truthfully, I’ve lived in this street all my life. It’s so quiet here. I can’t remember the last time we had any trouble.

“It’s sad to hear - anyone losing your life in that way is just wrong.”

Toma Comsk, 37, who works in maintenance, said: “I saw the police car come through at about 8pm. I didn’t see any screaming or noises or anything.

“I asked in the morning when I went to my work and they didn’t want to tell me anything.

“The police cars and ambulance had gone to the right so I couldn’t see what was happening - it’s all just houses down there.

“I didn’t know anything until we found out. My wife is scared - seeing all these police cars. She’s been a bit scared about it all.

“It’s a very quiet area. You don’t see any issues. I’ve never seen a police car down this road once.

“I think the ambulance was here for a good hour and a half - maybe two hours, before I saw it leave.”

A woman was also found with an injury to her wrist.

She was taken to hospital, and fortunately this was deemed non-life threatening.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “A crime scene is in place and homicide detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are working to understand the full circumstances.

“Anyone who has information that could help police should call 101 ref CAD 6386/1 Dec.

“To remain 100% anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”