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Four arrested over boy's murder Four arrested over boy's murder
(about 1 hour later)
Four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 17-year-old boy was attacked as he walked with his girlfriend in Hereford.Four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 17-year-old boy was attacked as he walked with his girlfriend in Hereford.
He was assaulted in the White Cross area on Thursday evening. His girlfriend suffered a suspected broken arm, West Mercia Police said. Darren Loader was assaulted in the Whitecross Road area on Thursday night. His girlfriend, also 17, suffered a suspected broken arm, police said.
The Great Western Way underpass, a main route in the city, and the surrounding area has been sealed off. The Great Western Way underpass, a main route into the city, along with the surrounding areas, were sealed off.
Another two people have been arrested for public order offences.Another two people have been arrested for public order offences.
Up to 40 detectives are part of the inquiry, a spokesman added. Up to 100 officers have now been taken on as part of the inquiry, a spokesman added.
Witness appealWitness appeal
Supt Kevin Purcell said the four suspects were Eastern European but he was keeping an open mind as to whether the attack was racially motivated. Mr Loader lived in Whitecross Road, which is near to the underpass, police said.
"We received a call about disorder in an area known locally as The Lines. Supt Kevin Purcell said the four suspects were Eastern European but added he was keeping an open mind as to whether the attack was racially-motivated.
"We received a call about disorder in an area known locally as The Lines," he said.
"We came across an assault where a 17-year-old male had been assaulted and taken to hospital and died this morning.""We came across an assault where a 17-year-old male had been assaulted and taken to hospital and died this morning."
He added that the victim's injured girlfriend was "key" to finding out what happened.He added that the victim's injured girlfriend was "key" to finding out what happened.
The boy's aunt, Sian Hughes, who used to live in the area, said she wanted anyone who may have seen something to get in touch with police. The boy's aunt Sian Hughes, who used to live in the area, said she wanted anyone who may have seen something to get in touch with police.
"If I am right (about) where it happened, if I can picture it, then it's an area near roads...near lots of major areas. Someone must have seen something." She said: "If I am right (about) where it happened, if I can picture it, then it's an area near roads... near lots of major areas.
"Someone must have seen something."