Two young women found dead in their home had been subjected to a prolonged and vicious attack that left blood in almost every room of the flat.

The women, in their twenties, were found on Monday evening when the concierge at the luxury flats in Ladywood, Birmingham, broke in after concerns from family members who had not heard from the pair. It is believed that the women, who lived together, were killed at the weekend.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Mirfield, who is leading the murder inquiry, said that the scene indicated a sustained, frenzied attack and there were signs of the flat having been ransacked.

“Both girls had been subjected to a sustained and violent attack. We believe at this stage at least one or more weapons had been used. There was no indication that they had been restrained during the attack. There was a substantial amount of blood inside many of the rooms.”

Mr Mirfield said it did not appear that entry to the flat had been forced.

Early yesterday morning a 28-year-old man was arrested by Kent Police as he tried to board a ferry at Dover after officers put out an all-ports alert soon after the bodies were discovered.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Mr Mirfield said: “This man, we believe, was attempting to board a ferry from Dover. We also believe that the arrested man may be known to the victims.”

He would not say what led the police to the man who was arrested, but added: “We had a suspicion early on that he may have been involved in the attack.”

He said police believed that the man arrested had connections to at least one, possibly both, of the women but was not related to them. He said he was unable to confirm the victims’ identities but family members were being supported by family liaison officers.

Officers were concentrating yesterday on the scene in and around Jupiter Apartments, where the bodies were found, including the car park below the flats.

It will not be until after post-mortem examinations are carried out that police will be able to comment on the women’s injuries.

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