Police have confirmed that two people have died and four people have been arrested following two incidents in Middlesbrough.

Officers from Cleveland Police were called to a property in Ajax Way in South Bank on Monday (September 18) following concerns for an occupant of the address.

Police have now confirmed that the body of a woman was found inside the building at that time.

Read more: LIVE: Cordon in place and forensics in place at South Terrace and Ajax Way in Middlesbrough

This was followed by another incident at around 10.30am on Tuesday (September 19), that saw officers called to a report of a sudden death at a property on South Court in South Bank where a second woman had died.

Enquiries into both deaths are continuing and, at this time, police are treating the deaths as unexplained.

The Northern Echo: A forensic officer in South BankA forensic officer in South Bank (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Whilst formal identification has not yet taken place, the families of the two women have been informed.

Two men aged 47 and two women aged 39 and 43 have been arrested, and all remain in police custody.

During the start of this week, police activity has been seen on Ajax Way and South Court, including forensic vans and officers. 

The Northern Echo: A police cordon in place on South BankA police cordon in place on South Bank (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

A cordon remains in place at both properties at this time.

A number of officers will be in and around the area conducting enquiries and providing a reassuring presence, according to Cleveland Police.

Residents who live in South Bank have reacted to the 'shocking' incident.

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A neighbour on South Terrace said: “The police have been here all day but we don’t really know what is going on other than we believe someone has died.
“It’s quite a shock to have so many police on your doorstep. Hopefully, we will find out what has happened soon.”

Another woman said: “All I have heard is that someone has died but that’s it. The police have been here since yesterday (Tuesday) but a lot of them have left now.”

John Edwards, who lives near the flats on Ajax Way, added: “The police have been here since Monday but we don’t really know what has happened.
“A lot of them have gone now but it was really busy yesterday with several police cars parked up.”