Two people have been arrested following a fatal stabbing.
A senior police officer has been quick to reassure residents in Bocking that the incident is not believed to be a random attack.
A murder inquiry was launched after police were called to Coldnailhurst Avenue just after 10pm on Tuesday night.
The ambulance service alerted police officers after they found the body of a 25-year-old local man.
Superintendent Tim Newcomb, of Braintree Police, said: "It is very rare for Braintree to experience an incident of such a violent nature.
"I know there is a local school very close to the scene of the attack and I fully appreciate that this type of incident can shake a community, but I want to reassure everyone that this does not appear to be a random assault.
An 18-year-old and and a 17-year-old boy have been arrested and are being questioned about the attack.
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