In pictures: Southend mourns the death of MP Sir David Amess after stabbing

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Credit: PA

Residents of Southend have been paying their respects while police remain on the scene after the death of local MP Sir David Amess.

The Southend West MP was holding a surgery at the Belfairs Methodist Church, in Eastwood when a man entered the church and stabbed him several times.He was "treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene", police said.

Emergency services at the scene near the attack Credit: PA

The case is now being handled by counter-terrorism officers and a 25-year-old man is in custody - although no motive has yet been identified.

There was a heavy police presence at the scene throughout Friday afternoon.

Police officers in forensic suits at the Belfairs Methodist Church Credit: PA
There was still a heavy police presence in the area on Friday evening/ Credit: PA
The police locked down the situation quickly Credit: PA

Local residents have been shocked by the brutal attack and tributes quickly began appearing near the site of the attack.

A woman lays flowers at the scene of the attack Credit: PA
Tributes have been appearing at the scene. Credit: PA

A Catholic church in the constituency held a mass to remember Sir David.

A photograph of Sir David Amess in St Peter's church in Eastwood, Essex, at a Catholic mass held following the death of the Conservative MP Credit: PA

MPs have been sharing their tributes to Sir David, who has been praised as being fiercely kind and extremely caring of his constituents.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said all our hearts are filled with "shock" and "sadness", as he reacted to his colleague's death.

Flags flown at half mast on Downing Street Credit: PA
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