Two quizzed over boy's stab death

Two men are being held by police in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old boy found stabbed to death near a pub.

The teenager, named locally as Jacob Woudstra, died shortly after he was stabbed twice in the chest at the Shah pub, in Hastings, East Sussex, on Thursday afternoon.

Detectives on Friday arrested a 41-year-old man from Bexhill in connection with the killing. He remains in custody along with a 31-year-old from Rye, who was detained on Thursday on suspicion of murder.

Sussex Police said the stabbing did not appear to be a random attack.

Emergency services were called to the scene near the pub in Mount Pleasant Road at around 3.20pm and the street and surrounding areas were sealed off while inquiries were carried out.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the stabbing to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Raymer said: "Officers and staff have been working tirelessly to follow up and investigate every line of inquiry available to us, whilst supporting the victim's family who have, understandably, been left devastated by this tragedy.

"We currently have two people in custody who have both been arrested on suspicion of murder. However, inquiries into this incident remain active and we would like to hear from anyone who has information about what happened but has not yet come forward to contact us immediately.

"Our thoughts remain with the family of the victim whilst we do everything we can to ensure that his killers are caught and brought to justice."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101, quoting Operation Chinook, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.