A suspect arrested for murder after at least three people are found dead in Nottingham, police say.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested in the city on suspicion of murder after a van had also tried to run over three others, officers said in a statement on Tuesday.

Initially, two people were found dead in the centre of the city. Just after 4am local time (03:00 GMT) police officers were called to another incident close to where a van had tried to run over three people. They are being treated in hospital.

Another man was found dead in another road just outside the city centre.

“This is an horrific and tragic incident which has claimed the lives of three people,” Chief Constable Kate Meynell said in the statement.

“We believe these three incidents are all linked and we have a man in custody. This investigation is at its early stages and a team of detectives is working to establish exactly what has happened,” she added.

She also asked the public to be patient while inquiries continue.

“At this time, a number of roads in the city will remain closed as this investigation progresses,” she said.