POLICE are not linking two serious incidents which happened between hours of one another in Chelmsford.

In the early hours of Sunday morning (Aug 19) a 39-year-old man from Rayleigh who died at a property off the A414 London Road. A post mortem examination has given the preliminary result that the man died of head injuries.

Around the same time a man was taken to hospital after being seriously assaulted on Duke Street. He has been taken to Broomfield Hospital with a critical head injury.

Ch Supt Glenn Caton said: “Crimes such as this are very unusual in this area and it is exceptional to be dealing with two serious incidents in Chelmsford committed on the same morning. We have been able to make quick arrests on both of these incidents and there is nothing to suggest that they are linked. We do not believe there is a direct connection with the V Festival taking place at Hylands Park.”

Police have arrested 10 men, aged between 23 and 35, all from Essex, have on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody to be questioned about their involvement in the death.

Detectives believe that there was a private party being held at the property at the time the man died and police appeal for anyone who was at the house to contact them as soon as possible.

Two men have been arrested in connection with an assault. They are a 28 year old from Chelmsford, and 31 year old from West London.

Anyone with any information about the incidents is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.