Detectives have been given more time to question a man and a woman after the suspicious death of a two-year-old girl in Ipswich. 

Officers were called to a property in Sidegate Lane at about 11.45am on Friday. 

Upon entering the property, they discovered the body of a two-year-old girl. 

On Saturday, officers arrested a 22-year-old man from Bedfordshire and a 22-year-old woman of no fixed abode in Bury St Edmunds on suspicion of murder.

The pair are known to the victim, Suffolk police has confirmed. 

Following an initial superintendent’s extension allowing detectives a further 12 hours to detain them, officers on Sunday applied for a warrant of further detention at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court granting them an additional 36 hours to question the suspects, which will expire on Monday evening. 

A post mortem examination to establish the cause of death and formal identification procedures will take place in due course. 

Superintendent Jane Topping said: “I understand this incident will have shocked and alarmed many people. Officers will continue to carry out reassurance patrols in the area over the coming days and we encourage members of the community to speak to us.

“A cordon remains in place at the property whilst we continue to work to establish the circumstances leading up to the child’s death.

“At this stage we are not seeking any other suspects in connection with the incident, however we ask people not to speculate on social media as to the identity of the child or to the circumstances surrounding her death.” 

Distressed neighbours spoke of the "awful" moment the body of a two-year-old girl was found in Ipswich, claiming forensic scientists exited the building in tears.

Anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the area or has any knowledge of the incident that could help the police with their enquiries should contact Suffolk Police, quoting 37/37749/23.