Murder inquiry after Brighton stabbing in Stafford Road

Officers forced entry at a property in Stafford Road, Brighton, in the early hours of this morning.

A man in his 40s had suffered "serious head and chest injuries".

He was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, but was pronounced dead at 3.50am.

>> SEE ALSO: 'They were crawling in my back garden'- Shock as police launch murder manhunt

When police arrived, two men fled from the flat and escaped across gardens in Stafford Road.

Both men were arrested in nearby Exeter Street at 2.30am.

Officers have cordoned off the streets surrounding the crime scene.

In a statement the police said: "A murder investigation has been launched following the stabbing of a man in a flat in Brighton in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"Officers attended and forced entry to the premises where they found a man, believed to be in his 40s, with serious chest and head injuries. 

"He was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead at 3.53am.

Read more on this story: Dramatic video reveals the moment murder suspect was arrested

"A 44-year-old man from Brighton and a 45-year-old man of no fixed address were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remained in custody on Wednesday morning.

"Cordons have been established around the scenes in Stafford Road and Exeter Street. Searches and forensic examinations at both locations are under way.

"At this time, there are not thought to be any outstanding suspects."

"The victim has yet to be identified."

Brighton police commander and Chief Superintendent Nick May said the incident was a "real tragedy".

On Twitter he wrote: "We urgently want to identify this man and ensure his family are informed in a proper way asap."

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to report it to Sussex Police online or call 101 and quote Operation Barnfield.