Dog walker finds a human leg near primary school

Limb discovered on 'main path most of the schoolchildren use in the morning'

Part of a human leg was found close to a primary school by a dog walker near Grimsby, prompting a police investigation.

Humberside Police said officers and forensic experts were called to the scene on Thursday after it received a report of a suspected body part found on a foot path in New Waltham at about 6.45am.

Initial forensic examinations confirmed the limb as a small section of a human lower leg and foot.

“While we are still in the very early stages of the investigation, we can confirm it is human and is a small section of a lower leg and foot,” said Detective Inspector Rhodri Troake.

The Peaks Parkway Path, which runs behind the playing fields at New Waltham Academy, was immediately cordoned off.

DI Troake added: “Further detailed forensic examinations and analysis will now be conducted to ascertain the identity of the individual and to establish the exact circumstances.

“Numerous enquiries are being carried out as part of the investigation to determine what events may have occurred prior to this incident, how the body part came to be on the path and also the length of time it may have been in situ in the area.”

The scene will remain cordoned off for several days and the police have appealed for the public to avoid the area.

“It is the main path that most of the schoolchildren use in the morning and you can normally hear them, but not this morning,” a local resident told Grimsby Live.

“The path is used by everyone in the village although it can be a bit dodgy after dark.”

Anyone with any information should call the non-emergency number 101 quoting log 85 of 25 April 2019. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting by PA