Three deaths may be linked to 'dangerous drugs batch'

Three people have died after taking a suspected dangerous drugs batch.

Northumbria Police confirmed a man and woman in their 30s and a man in his 40s died in the South Shields area of South Tyneside.

Det Insp Emma Martin, of the Northumbria force said the deaths were currently unexplained but officers were investigating whether they were linked to the same batch which led to "medical episodes."

She warned drug users to be wary of what they were taking.

“While the circumstances surrounding these three deaths remain unexplained, our over-arching priority as a force is to protect people from harm," she said.

“We are exploring the possibility that all three deaths are linked to drugs and possibly the same batch which has led to fatal medical episodes.

“It is important that we ensure this warning message is spread far and wide, given all three deaths occurred in the same town and in similar circumstances."