Body found in boot of a burning car dumped near Sussex golf course

Police have launched a murder investigation following the discovery on Friday

Ifield Golf Club, near where the body was discovered (Google Maps)

A human body has been found in the boot of a burning car dumped near a golf course in Sussex.

Police launched a murder investigation after the grim discovery in Ifield, near Crawley, on Friday.

Firefighters had been called to reports of a blaze shortly after 2pm and found the Volkswagen Jetta car parked close to Ifield Golf Club.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “When fire crews attended, they found a body in the boot of the car.

“Detectives are now trying to identify the body. They are yet to determine the gender. The vehicle suffered extensive fire damage.”

A 34-year-old woman from Dulwich, London, has been arrested on suspicion for conspiracy to murder and is being held in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Taylor, from the Surrey and Sussex major crime team, said: “We are treating this as a murder investigation and are following several lines of enquiry.

"Anyone who has any information about the car or saw it being abandoned and set on fire is asked to contact police."

A post-mortem on the body is due to take place later today.

Anyone with information is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Maderia, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.