Refuse collections are suspended amid fears body parts could be in wheelie bins

Refuse collections have been suspended amid fears that body parts could be found in wheelie bins after a man's dismembered torso was discovered by police.

The torso wrapped in plastic was found in a nature reserve in Salford, Manchester six days ago.

A member of the public found the body without arms or legs wrapped in plastic and forensic teams believe the remains were from a man who was over the age of 40.

Police have now suspended bin collections as they search for other body parts in Salford in case the killer used one to hide remains. A postmortem will also be carried out to try and identify the victim. 

In a social media post, deputy city mayor and Broughton councillor John Merry, announced the suspension.

He said: 'At the request of GMP bin collections in the Kersal area and parts of Broughton have been suspended while investigations relating to murder are carried out. The council will endeavour to restart them as soon as possible.' 

Chief Superintendent Tony Creely said his 'main focus' was identifying the victim.

A national check of missing persons is taking place by detectives to try and identify the victim. 

Police have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with the gruesome discovery for questioning.

Detectives said previously they believe the body belonged to an adult, and that there were no identifying marks on the remains.

However, they are not expecting the examination to reveal a cause of death because the full body has not been found.

Police believe the remains had been there for between 24 and 36 hours before being found.

On Monday, divers were spotted going in and out of the area, helping the search efforts alongside sniffer dogs and police officers. 

A large woodland area remains cordoned off while forensic officers work on the scene. No arrests have been made.

Greater Manchester Police has urged the public to come forward with 'any information' about the gruesome find.

Superintendent Tony Creely told a press conference previously: 'We do not know the identity of the person or whether they're male or female.

'We do know, though, that these remains are human, and they would not be possible for them to have survived.

'From forensic inquiry so far, we believe that these remains are likely to have been here for a matter of days. It really is a tragic case.

'Our priority now is establishing who this person is, and ensuring that we carry out a diligent and respectful investigation on behalf of that person and their family, whoever they may be.'

He said that the force's forensic teams and detectives will be in the area 'for some time'.

'We're speaking to those locals in the area, dog walkers, passers by, or anyone else who might have the smallest bit of information.

'We need to make a breakthrough in this case and we urge anyone with any information whatsoever to contact the police without delay.'