A Kent teenager who was arrested after an "outstanding" young boxer was stabbed to death, has now been bailed by police.

Luke Bellfield, 18, was the subject of what police called a targeted attack in an alleyway near a pub in Old Leigh, Essex on Friday and died a short time after being admitted to hospital having been stabbed once in the heart.

Police have arrested a 17-year-old from Kent on suspicion of assisting an offender and theft of a motor vehicle.

A 17-year-old boy from Leigh has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A 20-year-old woman from Westcliff was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

A 20-year-old man from Southend was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Previously a 31-year-old man from Westcliff and a 19-year-old man from Rayleigh were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

Victim Luke had fought for the famed Repton Boxing Club in Bethnal Green, East London, and fellow fighters paid tribute to him as a great talent.

One on a GoFundMe page which has raised more than £4,000 for his family read: "Luke was a loving, caring down to earth young lad.

"A very good boxer and had his whole life ahead of him and it all got taken away from him just like that.

"Spread the awareness of knife crime.

"Our hearts go out to Luke’s family and friends and this sad time.

"Fly high angel you’ll be forever missed and never forgotten."

Luke trained at Hockley Boxing Club until he was 15 and head coach Tim Yeates said: "His passion and dedication saw him through six years of boxing, achieving two national finals, win gold in the Three Nations and an England vest.

"He was a well-loved and dedicated boxer that has been taken far too soon."

A dispersal order was in place around Old Leigh over the weekend and investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss previously urged grieving friends not to "take matters into their own hands".

He said: "I would ask anyone considering taking matters into their own hands not to do so, but let us investigate so we can bring people to justice.”

Extra stop and search powers were also in place and detectives say inquiries remain ongoing into the death of Luke.

The 17-year-old boy from Leigh who was arrested on suspicion of murder has now been questioned and has been released on conditional bail until March 26, while officers continue with their investigations.

The three other people arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, including the teenager from Kent, have now been released under investigation.

DCI Scott Egerton said: “We’re progressing our inquiries into the circumstances behind Luke’s death and I would ask anyone considering taking matters into their own hands not to do so, but let us investigate.

“Officers continue to carry out extra patrols in order to ensure people feel safe and to identify anyone intent on committing crime.

“I’d like to thank the community for their support during our investigation and helping with our inquiries.”

Police remain keen to speak to anyone who was in the area around the seawall in Old Leigh between 5pm and 6pm on Friday.

Anyone who saw what happened or has mobile phone, CCTV or dash cam footage, is asked to speak to officers on scene or submit information here.

Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or here.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here