Murder arrest after alleged assault

A murder investigation has been launched following a suspected assault

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after another man died following an alleged assault.

Emergency services were called to Lily Street in the Millfield area of Sunderland at about 08:40 BST on Wednesday.

A 40-year-old man had suffered serious injuries and died in hospital early on Thursday, Northumbria Police said.

A man, 53, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, remains in custody.

Det Ch Insp Matt Steel from Northumbria Police said officers remained at the scene on Thursday and urged people to "avoid any speculation".

“At this early stage, we do believe all parties involved to be known to each other and there is no wider threat to the public," he added.

A man and a woman were also arrested in connection with the investigation, but have since been released with no further action to be taken.

Neighbours told the BBC they were alerted to the sound of the emergency services arriving at the scene on Wednesday morning.

One man, who asked not to be named, was getting ready for work when he heard "two loud bangs on the door", but said he "thought nothing of it" until he saw police on the scene.