Six Held As Police Probe Death Of Polish Man In Harlow

Six teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a Polish man in a possible hate crime.

Two Polish men were set upon outside a row of Harlow takeaway shops in what Essex Police believe to be an unprovoked attack on Saturday night.

A 40-year-old man from Harlow died of head injuries on Monday and a 43-year-old man, also from Harlow, was discharged from hospital after he was treated for suspected hand fractures and bruising to his stomach.

The men were targeted in The Stow in Harlow at around 11.35pm on Saturday.

Essex Police said one line of investigation was that it was a hate crime.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Al Pitcher, of the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: "This is now a murder investigation and our inquiries have quickly led to the arrest of five teenage boys.

"Following this vicious attack, a man has sadly lost his life and I urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible."

Police will be carrying out extra patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the community.

Four 15-year-old boys and one 16-year-old boy, all from Harlow, were arrested on Monday on suspicion of attempted murder and then further arrested on suspicion of murder.

All five have been released on police bail pending further inquiries until October 7. A sixth boy, a 15-year-old from Harlow, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of murder and is awaiting questioning.