Second man arrested in murder investigation

Elliot BallWest Midlands
News imageBBC Police tape across the open gateway to a single-storey building with corrugated iron roof. Two large doors are open. Parked cars and other buildings can be sen beyond.BBC
A second man has been arrested after a body was found at a property in Worcester

A second man has been arrested in connection with a murder investigation.

It comes after a 34-year-old man was arrested on 26 February on suspicion of murder when a body was found at a property on Surman Street, Worcester, at about 06:00 GMT.

He has since been released under investigation while the second man, also 34, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murder and grievous bodily harm.

A West Mercia spokesperson said the second arrested man remained in custody.

The force previously released information that suggested the death was linked to a fire at a Worcester community centre.

Emergency services attended the incident at Surman Street following reports of a garage fire, where the body was discovered.

They were then subsequently called shortly after 07:00 to reports of a second fire at a community centre on Stanley Road.

The two sites under investigation lay just over a mile apart.

At the time of the incident, the Worcester Muslim Welfare Association, based at the site, urged the police to investigate it as a potential hate crime.

But West Mercia Police has since stated the arson was not racially motivated and instead was believed to be linked to a "dispute between the homeless community" in the city.

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