A murder investigation has been launched after two people were found dead at a home in Custom House.

Police were called to Vandome Close at around 11.45am on Friday after concerns were raised about the welfare of somebody inside one of the properties.

Officers managed to gain entry and found the bodies of two people, both believed to be female.

Detectives are working to formally identify the victims and trace their next of kin.

Det Chief Supt Richard Tucker said: “The launch of any murder investigation is naturally of concern to the local community and we have borough officers in the area supporting colleagues from the Homicide and Major Crime Command as they investigate the full circumstances.

Newham Recorder: The window of a ground floor flat has been covered up. Picture: Jon KingThe window of a ground floor flat has been covered up. Picture: Jon King (Image: Jon King)

“A crime scene is in place and we would encourage anyone with information about what may have happened at this premises to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 4303/26APR.”

Police have taped off a block of flats in the quiet residential road and have also covered up a ground floor window with a black sack.

Scenes of crime officers in protective clothing have been inside the building and the glass in the front door has been covered to prevent people seeing inside.

One resident of the block, who did not want to be named, said he had only just found out about two bodies being found.

Newham Recorder: Police have launched a murder investigation after two bodies were found inside a property in Vandome Close, Custom House. Picture: Google MapsPolice have launched a murder investigation after two bodies were found inside a property in Vandome Close, Custom House. Picture: Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

“I’m astonished, it’s a little community,” he said. “We’re all tight-knit around here, everybody knows everybody.”

A 49-year-old man who has lived nearby for 18 years and did not want to be named said he had spoken to police.

“They told me that a body had been found, they showed me a photo of a woman but I didn’t know her,” he said.

“I’ve just heard on the news that it was two bodies. I’m just wondering why?”

Betty O’Connell, the chair of the police ward panel for Custom House, told the Recorder residents had called for more patrols in the area.

She said: “It’s terrible. I’m really concerned because there are residents who are afraid to come out of their homes.”

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.