Counter-terror officers lead murder inquiry after man dies in Hartlepool street
Counter-terror officers are leading a murder investigation after a man was found fatally injured in the street.
Inquiries are continuing into the incident which started in Wharton Terrace, Hartlepool, at 5.17am on Sunday 15 October.
Cleveland Police were called to a property and found an injured man who suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He remains in hospital.
A second man, who was found on nearby Tees Street, died at the scene. He has been named as 70-year-old Terrence Carney from Hartlepool.
He is thought to have been a passerby at the time of the incident, having recently used a nearby ATM.
Ahmed Alid, 44, from Hartlepool, has been charged with murder and attempted murder and he remains in custody.
The Head of Counter-Terrorism Policing North East, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, said: “Although our inquiries are still at a very early stage, the circumstances surrounding this incident have resulted in Counter-Terrorism Policing taking the lead for this investigation.
“From the inquiries undertaken so far, there is no evidence to suggest that there was any other person involved in the attack, and, at this time, we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the man killed yesterday, and our thoughts are with the man who remains in hospital.”
Cleveland Police Deputy Chief Constable Victoria Fuller added: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who lost his life yesterday.
“Though incidents of this nature are very rare, I understand the concern that yesterday’s events will have caused amongst our local community.
“We have local officers patrolling in the area to provide reassurance to our local communities.
“We continue to work closely with colleagues from Counter-Terrorism Policing North East as the investigation progresses.
“We are also working with other partner agencies and key community representatives to reassure them and keep them informed.
“I would like to offer my thanks to the attending officers who swiftly responded to this incident."
Press reports alleged the address at Wharton Terrace was being used to house asylum seekers, but police have not confirmed this to be the case. Officers said they are keeping an "open mind" about the circumstances of the incident.
On Monday night Hartlepool MP, Jill Mortimer, called on residents in the town to remain "calm" and let the counter-terrorism police get on with their investigation.
She said: "We just need to stay calm. Not try to find out what’s going on on social media. I’ve heard of six different versions of what’s happening. I think we just need to stay calm, let the police do their job and then let’s find out what’s happened."
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