Bodies removed from murder flat

The women, who have not yet been formally identified, were discovered brutally murdered at the flat they shared on the Jupiter Apartments complex in Birmingham at around 5.40pm on Monday.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said the bodies were removed from the scene late on Tuesday night and post-mortem examinations will be carried out to find out how the women died.

Meanwhile, officers were continuing to question a man arrested at a sea port in connection with the murders.

The 28-year-old was detained early on Tuesday morning by police in Kent as he attempted to board a ferry.

The two women, both in their early 20s, were found at the flat they shared on the fourth floor of the apartment block by the building's concierge, who broke in following concerns from relatives of the women. They are believed to have been killed over the weekend.

Speaking at a press conference, Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Mirfield said both women were subjected to a "sustained and violent attack" in which one or more weapons were used.

He added that there were "signs of ransacking" in the flat and there was "a substantial amount of blood inside many of the rooms".

It is believed the arrested man might have been known to the victims, Mr Mirfield said, adding: "We had a suspicion early on that he may have been involved in the attack."

Police have not confirmed reports that the women were involved in prostitution and declined to comment on their nationality.