Police are studying CCTV evidence following the murder of two teenagers in what officers believe was a targeted attack over the weekend in Brentwood, Essex.

Both victims are understood to be 16 years old and died as a result of injuries they sustained during the incident in Regency Court at about 1.30am on Sunday.

Three people were injured in the incident, and despite the efforts of medics, two people died. Their families are being supported by specialist officers.

Essex Police said eight men have been arrested and remain in custody where they are being questioned on suspicion of murder.

The men who have been detained are two 19-year-olds, three 20-year-olds, one 21-year-old, one 40-year-old and one 49-year-old.

They are from the areas Grays, South Ockendon and Brentwood in Essex.

Police said forensic post-mortems will be carried out on the two boys in the coming days and will wait for those results before confirming their ages, identities and the cause of their death to the public.

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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.”

He continued: “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.”

The force said there will be a visible policing presence in Brentwood over the coming days to reassure the community.

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

A police spokesman previously said officers believe the attack was targeted and that the individuals involved knew each other.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information on it should call police on 101 and cite incident 125 and the date 24 October

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