POLICE have sealed off parts of George Crooks House tower block in Grays where a man died.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested.

A statement from Essex Police says: "We were called to an incident at an address close to New Road, Grays, shortly after 3.40am this morning, Friday 6 October.

"Officers arrived and found a disturbance had taken place and a man had sustained a serious injury.

"Despite the efforts of medics at the scene, the man sadly died.

"We are now investigating the man's death and detectives and staff from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are working quickly to establish the circumstances which led up to it.

"A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody."

Detective Chief Inspector Terry Balding said: "Our investigation is in its early stages and we're working quickly to identify the circumstances around this incident.

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"There will continue to be a police presence in the area today and throughout the weekend as our enquiries continue.

"At this stage, we believe this to be a serious but isolated incident and we do not believe there is any wider threat to the Grays community.

"I would encourage anyone with information on the incident, including anyone who may have been with the man who has died, during the night, to come forward and speak to us.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information on it to get in touch using our dedicated online portal.

"It can be accessed here https://mipp.police.uk/operation/4201020123Q73-PO1.

Locally residents in the tower blocks have told that they understand the incident was an armed raid that went wrong.

A gang of youths armed with knives is reported to have entered the block by way of scaffolding which surrounds the building.

They forced their way into the premises in the early hours of this morning and a clash followed.

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Though residents have not been evacuated, parts of the block remain sealed off and a heavy police presence remains - including a number of forensic officers.

Earlier this week a number of residents in the south Grays tower blocks, which are all being renovated in a botched council programme that has gone in several years, contacted Nub News to say local people were increasingly concerned about the risk to properties and households because the scaffolding allowed easy, illegal entry and a way of by-passing the security system.

Thurrock Council, which manages the tower blocks, has been asked to comment but has not yet responded.