Police force refers itself to watchdog after murder

Two bodies were found at a house in Hednesford on Tuesday

Staffordshire Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over "recent police contact" in connection to an ongoing murder investigation.

The bodies of two people were found at a home on Alpine Drive in Hednesford, near Cannock, at about 12:30 BST on Tuesday.

Police believe them to be Lauren Evans, 22, from Bridgend, in South Wales, and 24-year-old Daniel Duffield from Cannock.

The force has not revealed whether prior contact was with one or both of them, nor the nature of that contact.

Formal identification has yet to take place, but Staffordshire Police said teams were supporting the families.

In an update, it said the murder investigation was ongoing.

Det Supt Nicki Addison from the force's major investigations department said: "I know this news has understandably shaken the local community.

"I'd like to reassure everyone that we’ve got a specialist team of officers working extensive hours to fully investigate what happened and support the families of those affected.

"We completely understand that lots of people want to know more about what happened, but we’d like to reiterate that speculation isn’t helpful to families at this distressing time.

"I would like to thank everyone who has already come forward with information and ask that people continue to get in touch if they’ve got any information that can help us."