New arrests in Shrewsbury murder probe

Murder detectives investigating a fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old man in Shrewsbury during a fight involving up to 20 young men have arrested two more people today.

Police have now arrested a total of seven men in connection with the killing of Scott Cooke, who was stabbed at the Monkmoor recreation ground on Tuesday night.

They made two arrests this morning at an address in Shrewsbury shortly before 8am, following five previous arrests in Shrewsbury and Telford in the past two days.

Detectives are seeking extra time for questioning of the men as they continue their investigations.

Mr Cooke died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on Tuesday after being stabbed during a fight involving up to 20 men at Monkmoor Recreation Ground at about 6pm.

Police arrested three people at addresses in Shrewsbury and Telford on Tuesday and made two more arrests last night.

The three men arrested on Tuesday, all in their 20s, are being quizzed on suspicion of murder. A fourth man, also in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. Another man, aged 19, was arrested on suspicion of assisting a suspected offender.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Andrews, appealed for witnesses to the death.

"I am appealing to anyone who was present at Monkmoor Recreation Ground at around 6pm when this confrontation involving up to 20 young men took place. We have already traced a number of those in attendance and I urge anyone else who was there to contact Shrewsbury police station by calling 101," he said.

"Get in touch now. We will eventually obtain everyone's name so it is best they contact us."

By Chris Burn