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7 months ago
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Detectives have confirmed they have found human remains in Croydon park and have launched a murder investigation.
Metropolitan Police forensics officers were seen preparing to carry out a search of the area of Rowdown Fields in New Addington yesterday with officers confirming the remains will now be sent away for full analysis.
They have now confirmed the 'disturbing discovery' yesterday were human remains which they believe belong to one victim.
Officers were called to the grim discovery at 9am yesterday and had remained at the scene overnight.
Possible human remains have been discovered in a park in south London (pictured: officers at the scene)
Metropolitan Police forensics officers were seen preparing to carry out a search of the area of Rowdown Fields in New Addington
Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe, from the Specialist Crime Command is now leading the investigation. He said: 'As you would expect, my team is working extremely hard in the early stages of this investigation to co-ordinate the search effort and carry out enquiries as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.
'We are not going to give specific details on our search of the area, but I can confirm that since yesterday we have recovered further remains. After consultation with a forensic anthropologist, we are certain that these are human.
'At this time, our search is not complete, and so local people will continue to see officers in the area.
'This is being treated as murder, and we currently believe the remains belong to one victim.
'Samples have be sent away for urgent forensic analysis and I anticipate that a special post-mortem examination will take place later this week.'
Superintendent Lewis Collins previously said: 'We are aware of the concerns within the local community following the discovery of possible human remains in the Croydon area this morning. The remains will be sent away for full analysis.
'I would like to reassure you that officers remain on scene and we will be carrying out a number of enquiries over the coming days to establish exactly what has happened.
'While our investigation is still at a very early stage, I would ask that people do not speculate on the circumstances and will we update you as soon as we have further information.'
Police put a cordon in place around the park as officers investigated the grim discovery
Officers were called at 9am yesterday and had remained at the scene overnight
Locals spoke of their horror at the grisly discovery. One 80-year-old told MyLondon said: 'I don't like it, it's frightening. My husband is housebound and we live just opposite the park. We've never had any problems, it's a lovely safe community.'
Jenny, who owns Vintage Wines and lives near the cordon, was appalled by the incident.
'I've lived here for 53 years, and it's a friendly place but it has changed in recent years. But I'd actually never feel safe anywhere else. I shut my shop at 10 and often people will offer to walk me home if it's dark,' she added.
The field sits next to the Addington Valley Academy special school. Staff at the school did not respond to requests for comment.
It's not the first time human remains have been found in the area.
Last October a similar discovery was made in Crystal Palace Park with police later confirming it was 'material from a placenta'. The mother and child had both been identified and no offence was committed.
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