VIDEO One of the two women found at Levington died from compression to the neck, police have said. The second of the two bodies is expected to be removed from the scene today.

One of the two women found at Levington on Tuesday died from compression to the neck, police have said.

They have confirmed they are treating the death as murder.

The body was removed from the scene yesterday afternoon and taken to Ipswich Hospital where pathologist Nat Carey carried out a post mortem examination.

Formal identification of the body is currently taking place.

The second body discovered on Tuesday is likely to be removed from the scene later today, with formal identification tomorrow.

Det Chief Supt Stewart Gull said the police have now received 5,500 calls to their inquiry hotline, with help from eight forces to answer the call. The police have also received 1000 emails with information.

He repeated calls for specific information on the clothes worn by the murdered women, and any details of sightings in their final hours.

“Once again we have a magnificent response from the public to our appeals,” he said.

“But I would like to remind people at this point of our specific appeals for information in relation to clothing worn by Tania Nicol and Gemma Adams.

“When she was last seen on October 30, Tania was wearing a light coloured top, mid blue cut-off jeans and pink sparkly high heel shoes.

“Gemma, who was last seen on November 15, was wearing a black waterproof waist-length jack with a hood and a zip up the front, light blue jeans with studs on the pockets, a red top and white and chrome Nike trainers. She was also carrying a black bag.

“If anyone sees any of the items please contact the police immediately.”

DCS Gull specifically asked for details of the whereabouts of Annelie Alderton between Sunday, December 3 - when she caught a train from Harwich to Colchester - and a sighting of her body on the following Thursday.

“Her mother was not clear what she was wearing, we are trying to capture CCTV of Annelie to verify what she was wearing,” he said.

He also asked for details of any activity in laybys around the discovery of the bodies at Levington.

“We would like to make an appeal in relation to the site where the two bodies were discovered last week in Levington,” he said.

“We know there are two laybys on the Old Felixstowe Road just yards from where the girls were found.

“We know these are well used and I want to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activities since Sunday.”

DCS Gull said the police were trying to track mobile phones used by the five murdered women, and confirmed officers were checking past phone bills.

He said details of calls and records of when phones connected to the mobile networks would be helpful in establishing a timeline of what happened.

“Tania and Gemma had access to mobile phones and we haven't recovered those. Gemma was also in possession of a black bag and we are interested in recovering these items,” he said.

“Both Tania and Gemma were still wearing jewellery when their bodies were recovered from the brook.

“As far as I'm aware none of the other bodies of the girls were wearing jewellery.”

He explained the need to keep the second body discovered at Levington on Tuesday at the scene.

“We are looking to exploit and maximise these scenes as far as possible,” he said.

“I appreciate it may be seem quite callous to leave the girls in the open overnight and we try and do it as dignified as we can, but it's important to collect as much evidence from the scenes as possible.

“We only get once chance at these scenes and need to get it right.”

Suffolk police Assistant Chief Constable Jacquie Cheer said that help was currently being received from nine forces across the country as part of the established national plan for major inquiries, with 244 officers drafted in from elsewhere.

She rebuffed claims that Suffolk force was having any difficulties handling the murder cases as well as dealing with normal policing.

She said that compared to previous year there were 10pc fewer recorded crimes in recent weeks.

“Latest statistics show that overall recorded crime in the county between December 1 and yesterday fell by 10pc compared with the same period last year.

“In figures, that is a reduction from 2036 crimes to 1829; 207 fewer victims.

“Included in that fall are reductions in vehicle crime (down 19pc), burglary (down 19pc), theft (down 16pc) and criminal damage (down 3pc).

“So I remain encouraged by our overall performance - and hope that these figures go some way towards reassuring local people that not only are we tackling these major incidents, with assistance from outside, but are also continuing to provide the quality policing service that local people have come to expect.”

ACC Cheer said the police were still handling thousands of routine calls to the force control room.

She also thanked local councils and outreach workers for their help in support prostitutes working in Ipswich and the wider community.

“I want to send genuine and heartfelt thanks to the way our partners have stepped up and come to help us,” she said.

“The team in the red light area are currently engaging with 13 women working in that area which is a significant increase. They are providing supporting around drug issues, financial need and personal support to enable these women to stay off the streets.

“That is a the start of building the foundation of where we go to both throughout the investigation and after it.”