DETECTIVES investigating the death of a Northumberland man have arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

At about 1.55am on Monday, police received a report that a man had been assaulted inside an address on Hallside Road, in Blyth.

Officers and emergency services attended but the man, Scott Patterson, died as a result of his injuries.

When officers attended the person believed to be responsible for the assault had already left the scene and enquiries soon began to try and locate him.

A total of seven addresses in the Blyth area were searched and last night, officers arrested four people in connection with the incident.

A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder, one woman aged 48 and two men, aged 50 and 56 were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Northumbria Police’s Superintendent Helen Anderson, the senior investigating officer on the case, said: “Our thoughts remain with Scott’s family at what is an extremely difficult time for them.

“I would like to reiterate that this incident has taken place in a private address following an altercation between people who had been socialising together throughout the evening.

“We believe those involved are all known to each other but we are still carrying out a number of enquiries to establish a clear picture of what happened.

“High visibility patrols are taking place across Blyth to carry out enquiries but to also reassure anyone who is concerned about the police activity.

“Our detectives are working hard to establish the facts and we would encourage anyone with information to come forward and contact police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 quoting reference 68 190819 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.