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Three held in murder probe after death near shops

Henry Godfrey-Evans/BBC A police car and officer in front of a shop boarded up by plywood, with a hole in the cornerHenry Godfrey-Evans/BBC
Police believe the man's death is suspicious

A murder investigation has been launched after the death of a man who was found injured near to shops.

Emergency services were called to The Rows in Harlow, Essex, after the man was discovered at about 21:15 GMT on Wednesday but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have arrested three men - aged 43, 44 and 61 - on suspicion of murder and they remained in custody on Thursday.

Det Insp Stewart Eastbrook said: "Our investigation is in the early stages but our initial assessment is that his death is suspicious."

Officers have cordoned off the entrance to a dilapidated unit at a parade of shops.

Det Insp Eastbrook added: "My thoughts today are with the family and friends of the man who has died.

"Specialist officers and staff are carrying out a range of inquiries to build a picture of what led up to this man's death and you are likely to see a police presence in the area."

Henry Godfrey-Evans/BBC A man in front of a dilapidated shop in Harlow. He is wearing a black jacket, sunglasses and a grey beanie hat.Henry Godfrey-Evans/BBC
Alexander Conway said Harlow has "gone down hill" in the last five or six years

Alexander Conway, who has lived in Harlow for 40 years, told the BBC at the scene that the area had "gone down hill".

Another shopper told the BBC that seeing a police cordon was commonplace.

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