02/04/2009

Severed Head Discovered In Field

Detectives are investigating the discovery of a human head at in a field in Leicestershire.

It is not yet clear whether the find is connected to the earlier discovery of body parts in Hertfordshire, or whether the part belonged to a man or woman.

A member of the public found the head in a cattle pen in Asfordby, Leicestershire, on Tuesday afternoon.

Leicestershire Police have been in contact with their counterparts in Hertfordshire, after a man's arm was discovered in Wheathampstead on Monday.

A leg was also found in nearby on 22 march.

Det Supt Julia McKechnie, leading the investigation, said: "Our main priority in the initial stages is to determine the identity of the person involved.

"This will largely be determined by the forensic investigations which could take some days to complete.

"In the meantime we're looking into the circumstances surrounding the discovery, but are keeping an open mind as to why and how the head came to be in the field.

"It is too early to confirm whether it is linked to any crime or investigation being undertaken by colleagues in other forces, but we are naturally liaising with other forces as you would expect in an inquiry of this nature."

Tests are expected to be carried out over the coming days to establish if the head belongs to the same person.

(JM/BMcC)

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