THIS is the man police are hunting in connection with the murder of 24-year-old Saheel Ahmed.

Detectives have taken the unusual step of naming Naeem Majid Butt, 37, and said they needed to speak to him ‘as a matter of urgency’. And they have warned people not to approach him.

Mr Ahmed, of Accrington Road, Blackburn, was found in an alley near Warrington Street, Little Harwood, early on Tuesday. morning. He had suffered a number of stab wounds 'consistent with the use of a bladed weapon' police said.

Police had been called to a disturbance around 1.50am when they discovered Mr Ahmed's body.

They believe he was chased by a man from Zion Road, along Providence Street to the alleyway where he was stabbed multiple times.

One line of inquiry that detectives are investigating is that it could have been an 'honour killing'.

Police said the motive for the attack was still unclear, but that it is believed Mr Ahmed was 'known to his attacker'.

Detectives now want to speak with Mr Butt who they said had links to Edinburgh.

There is a strong suggestion that he may have travelled to the city and could still be there, police said.

Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter, who is leading the investigation, said: “We need to speak with Naeem Butt as a matter of urgency.

"I would urge anybody who knows of his current whereabouts to contact police immediately.

“I would also like to speak with anybody who has had any contact with him whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, since Tuesday.

"Finally, I would appeal to Mr Butt directly to make contact with the police as soon as possible.

“However, I would urge members of the public who may come into contact with Mr Butt to exercise caution and not to approach him directly but to contact the police immediately.

"It is crucial that we speak with him sooner rather than later as he may hold information that is key to this investigation.”

He is described as 5ft10in tall, of medium to slim build with dark hair and brown eyes.

He has a piercing in both ears, as well as a number of tattoos, including a scorpion and peacock on his left arm and a cobra on his left hand.

Mr Ahmed, who was a regular at the Chester Street Mosque, was married to Sidra and worked for Manpower at the BT Centre.

He previously went to Norden High School, Rishton and his father Zahood Ahmed described him as 'kind and very religious'.

Anybody with any information should contact police on 01254 51212 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.