Essex Police have put out an urgent appeal to track down a teenager in connection with an ongoing murder investigation.

Police are urgently trying to trace Alfie Pollard, 17, who they want to speak to in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old on Friday evening.

The victim, named locally as Luke Bellfield, was found in Leigh Old Town and taken to hospital around 6pm with stab wounds where he died a short while after.

A post mortem examination found he died as a result of a single stab wound to the heart.

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Police are progressing with their enquiries and are treating it as a targeted incident.

Police say they urgently need to speak to Pollard who has links to Leigh and Southend.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss, who is leading the murder investigation, said: “We urgently need to speak to Alfie Pollard in connection with our investigation.

“I would strongly urge him, or anyone who knows of his whereabouts, to contact police immediately.

“Anybody who is found to be assisting those involved in the violent incident that led to a man’s death on Friday night will be subject of a thorough investigation and could find themselves prosecuted for assisting an offender.”

Anyone who knows of Pollard’s whereabouts is asked to contact us on 999 or submit information via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4201020121P63-PO1 Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org