A further two people have been arrested in the investigation into the murder of Aya Hachem, taking the total in police custody to 11.

A woman, 29, and a man, 39, both from Blackburn, were detained in the town on Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of murder.

This follows the earlier arrests of two Blackburn women, aged 19 and 26 on suspicion of assisting an offender and also a man, 28, from Blackburn on suspicion of murder.

They are all in custody.

On Tuesday, two men aged 31 and 35 were arrested on suspicion of murder and a man, 29, on suspicion of assisting an offender.

They also remain in custody.

On Wednesday, officers were given more time to question three other men, aged 39, 33 and 36, all from Blackburn, who were arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday.

Police launched a major investigation after Aya, 19, was shot and killed in broad daylight on Sunday as she was out shopping close to the Lidl supermarket on King Street in Blackburn.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died as a result of a gunshot wound to her chest.

Police do not believe she was the intended target.

A spokesperson for the police said: "This is a very fast moving investigation, with information coming in from various places which we are reacting to swiftly.

"Our thanks goes to everyone who has passed on information to us, be that over the phone, through the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) or via Crimestoppers.

"We continue to appeal to people who think they know who was involved in the tragic shooting of Aya but haven’t spoken to us yet, to do the right thing and make contact.

"Our thoughts continue to remain with Aya's family and friends."

A police presence remains in the area around the shooting whilst enquiries continue.

The incident is not being treated as terrorism-related or racially-motivated.

Any information or video footage can be sent to the police via the Major Incident Public Portal at www.orlo.uk/Zg8le 

Anybody with any other information is asked to get in touch on 101, quoting log number 0412 of May 18, or anonymously via independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at orlo.uk/JFcEy.