Gang lead in double murder hunt

Posters in English and Mandarin are being put up throughout Newcastle

Roaming gangs targeting potentially affluent young people may have been responsible for the murder of a Chinese couple in Newcastle, police believe.

Zhen Xing Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found on 9 August at their flat in the city's West End.

The pair died after a "frenzied" knife attack. Mr Yang had also been tortured before being stabbed to death.

Detectives think Chinese gang members may be targeting foreign students by answering adverts for rooms to rent.

Northumbria Police Det Supt Steve Wade, leading the investigation, said: "We are keen to explore whether this was linked to some Chinese organised crime groups targeting foreign students or young people in the UK.

"While we have to keep an open mind as to what the motive was, we are looking at the targeting of young people, possibly for monetary gain or robbery."

Posters in English and Mandarin have been placed throughout Newcastle in an effort to find out more about the couples' lifestyle.

Mr Wade said investigations into a link between the couple and an internet betting scam were also continuing.

Police are also looking for three people seen near the flat less than an hour after Ms Zhou was last seen alive.