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| South Essex: Drugs-related death toll rises to six | South Essex: Drugs-related death toll rises to six |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A sixth suspected drug-related death has been identified by police investigating the sale of Class A drugs in Essex. | A sixth suspected drug-related death has been identified by police investigating the sale of Class A drugs in Essex. |
| The death of woman in her 30s, who was found in Southend on Sunday morning, has now been linked. | The death of woman in her 30s, who was found in Southend on Sunday morning, has now been linked. |
| Earlier, Essex Police said the death of a woman her 40s in Canvey Island on Tuesday may also be connected. | Earlier, Essex Police said the death of a woman her 40s in Canvey Island on Tuesday may also be connected. |
| It followed the deaths of three men and a woman in Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, Canvey Island and Benfleet. | It followed the deaths of three men and a woman in Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, Canvey Island and Benfleet. |
| Tests are being carried out to identify the substance or substances involved, Essex Police said. | |
| It said the deaths, which all occurred within a six-mile (10km) radius, were an "obvious concern". | It said the deaths, which all occurred within a six-mile (10km) radius, were an "obvious concern". |
| Ch Supt Kevin Baldwin said the force has "dedicated officers working around the clock" on the investigation. | Ch Supt Kevin Baldwin said the force has "dedicated officers working around the clock" on the investigation. |
| He added: "We believe these incidents are contained to the south of the county but part of our inquiries is to see whether other parts of Essex are affected. | He added: "We believe these incidents are contained to the south of the county but part of our inquiries is to see whether other parts of Essex are affected. |
| "We believe the deaths are linked to the taking of Class A drugs and are carrying out tests to establish exactly what the substance or substances involved are. | "We believe the deaths are linked to the taking of Class A drugs and are carrying out tests to establish exactly what the substance or substances involved are. |
| "Until we have the results of those tests we're not going to speculate about what's involved or how it was taken." | "Until we have the results of those tests we're not going to speculate about what's involved or how it was taken." |
| The force has urged anyone with information about the sale of Class A drugs in the county to contact them. | The force has urged anyone with information about the sale of Class A drugs in the county to contact them. |
| On Monday, a man in his 20s was found dead at an address in Leigh-on-Sea and a woman in her 30s died in Westcliff-on-Sea. | On Monday, a man in his 20s was found dead at an address in Leigh-on-Sea and a woman in her 30s died in Westcliff-on-Sea. |
| On Tuesday, a man in his 40s died at an address on Canvey Island and a man in his 20s was found dead in Benfleet. | On Tuesday, a man in his 40s died at an address on Canvey Island and a man in his 20s was found dead in Benfleet. |