Day 4: Police cordon extended around Oakwood Pond

THE police cordon surrounding Oakwood Pond off Fourth Avenue in Harlow has been expanded.

Police have shut off the footpath that runs down Fourth Avenue.

This may be as the grass banking between the footpath and cycle track enables people to look down into the pond.

Six cars are positioned guarding the scene.

The police have also erected a tent within the grounds of the pond and an officer remains on guard there.

At the moment (0800 hrs) there is no activity taking place but that may change during the day.

More follows.

Day 3: Statement from Essex Police

An investigation has been launched after human remains were found at Oakwood Pond in Harlow on Saturday. 

Officers were called to Fourth Avenue shortly before 2pm Saturday afternoon (31 December) following reports of a suspicious object in the water.  Specialist forensic officers have since confirmed that these are human remains. 

An investigation with Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate is underway and early enquiries are ongoing. 

Detective Chief Inspector Antony Alcock said “It’s the really early stages of this investigation and we are working to determine what has happened. 

“I understand that this is concerning news for local residents and our officers are likely to remain in the area for the next few days to continue enquiries. 

“We ask that the public respect the cordons in place and we will be updating the public as the investigation develops.” 

If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively you can call us on 101.

In an emergency always call 999. 

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

Please quote incident 582 of 31 December when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible. 

Further

YourHarlow has submitted a request to interview the senior investigating officer.

Update: 1300 hrs Sunday Jan 1st

ESSEX Police has told YH that the searches are continuing at Oakwood Pond and the surrounding wooded area.

They are likely to be there for a number of days whilst enquiries continue.

They have also told us that it is too early to determine who the victim is and whether the remains belong to one victim or more.

They are hoping to update further tomorrow (Monday), once some specialist searches have taken place.

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Day 2: 0900 hrs Essex Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the discovery of human remains in a pond in Harlow.

As darkness fell last night (Saturday) police installed floodlights by the side of Oakwood Pond.

YH revisited the scene at 9am on Sunday morning (Jan 1st).

The area continued to be cordoned off with police officers guarding the area on Upper Park, Hodings Road and the cycle track.

Two forensic units are in attendance at Upper Park where plain clothes officers have also been in attendance.

YH has contacted Essex Police press office for an update.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=A3HqzsL1c3o%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Update: 2000 hrs: Statement from Essex Police

‘We are currently on scene following the discovery of what is believed to be human remains in Oakwood Pond, Harlow.

This was reported to us shortly before 2pm. Specialist diving teams have been called and a cordon is in place whilst early enquiries are underway.’

ESSEX Police has sealed off a large wooded area in Harlow.

Oakwood Pond is situated at the back of Princess Alexandra Hospital close to Upper Park and Hodings Road.

Police have been at the scene since after 2pm and were still present at 4pm.

Officers are guarding the scene at a number of points. The whole of the pond is sealed off.

Forensic officers have attended at the scene by the Upper Park entrance.

YH has contacted Essex Police press office for more details.

More follows.