Three people die in the same afternoon after potentially ingesting drugs from a dangerous batch

Police have issued an urgent warning after the deaths of three people in one afternoon from potentially taking drugs from a dangerous batch.

Northumbria Police has launched an investigation after two men, one in his 30s and one in his 40s, and a woman in her 30s were all confirmed dead in the South Shields area of South Tyneside today.

Officers have said enquiries are at a very early stage but it is believed all three deaths could be potentially linked to the same drugs batch. 

The force has now issued an urgent warning to the public about the potentially fatal drugs batch. 

Officers have informed the next of kin of all three people, while the circumstance around their deaths remain 'unexplained'. 

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: 'While the circumstances surrounding these three deaths remain unexplained, our over-arching priority as a Force is to protect people from harm.

'We would never advocate anyone taking illegal drugs. It is, however, 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.

'If you are a drug user, or know anybody struggling with addiction, please be mindful of this message as we suspect this particular batch could have fatal consequences.'