A new BBC Two documentary series that follows Essex Police investigating a murder will air next week.

'Murder 24/7' follows three investigations which happened in the county from the moment the crime happens, to the arrest and conclusion at court.

Viewers will follow Essex Police’s Major Crime team detectives as they piece together the clues in each case to lead them to the suspects.

Senior Investigating officers, will demonstrate manhunt specialists, blood spatters, forensic specialists, phone and intelligence analysts that are often linked to the scene of the crime.

This is the first time that Essex Police has opened its doors to the public, allowing unprecedented access to a team of filmmakers from production company Expectation Factual.

Chief Constable BJ Harrington said: “We know our detectives here in Essex are amongst the finest in the world and that’s why we took the opportunity to showcase just some of their work through this BBC documentary.

“When a murder happens, which is thankfully not very often, our detectives work around the clock, often at great personal sacrifice, to follow up every lead, support devastated families and hunt those responsible.

“But what this programme really captures is, that while our detectives will lead the investigation and the hunt for suspects, it really is a force-wide effort to support victims, solve crime, hunt offenders and bring them to justice.

“Murder 24/7 really shows that when these terrible crimes happen our whole force comes together to catch a killer.”

Det Supt Morgan Cronin, Essex Police’s head of major, economic and cyber crime, said: “At the heart of every murder or manslaughter is a victim who has lost their life and a devastated family left behind.

“We hope that this programme shows the residents of our county that when the very worst happens we work determinedly to piece together what happened, catch those responsible and ensure they face justice.

“Murder 24/7 captures in real time, the dedication and commitment of all of our officers as well as the complexity of an investigation and the painstaking work that goes into gathering evidence - from trawling CCTV to intricate forensic work and mobile phone analysis – which is often frustrated by those seeking to avoid capture and justice.”

Ruth Kelly, executive producer at Expectation Factual said: “We wanted to produce a police documentary series with a unique approach, rooted in what really happens when someone is murdered.

“The result is Murder 24/7, made possible by the privileged access Essex Police gave us to their Major Crime Teams.

“We hope that the series shines a light on the extraordinary team of detectives, forensic investigators and specialists who come together, working round the clock, to solve murder cases.”

'Murder 24/7: Essex' will air at 9pm on BBC Two on Monday February 24, Tuesday February 25, Wednesday February 26, Monday 2 March and Tuesday 3 March.