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7 months ago
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Possible human remains have been discovered in a park in south London.
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.
Local resident Becky Phillips described the discovery as 'awful' while Deb Watts added: 'This is so sad thoughts are with the family.'
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
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
Superintendent Lewis Collins 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.'
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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