A forensic team dressed in white hazmat suits are scouring an allotment in Middlesbrough as police launch an investigation into the unexplained death of the man found there this week
An allotment has been taped off and scoured by a forensic team dressed in white hazmat suits as police launch an investigation into the unexplained death of the man.
Cleveland Police confirmed no arrests have been made following the grim discovery at Town Farm Allotments, off Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough, on Tuesday, September 9. The site is currently closed to public but allotment owners are said to have been escorted onto the site individually to feed animals. Witnesses reported seeing officers search two seperate areas on the premises, where they were “coming and going all night”. A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said on Tuesday: “Officers are currently at Town Farm allotments in the Cargo Fleet Lane area after a man’s body was found earlier today. Enquiries are in their very early stages and the man’s death is currently being treated as unexplained.”
The spokesperson added: “Police are conducting enquiries in the area, and we would encourage anyone with information to speak to them. Alternatively, information can be passed to Cleveland Police via the 101 number (please quote ref 172626 if you ring us) or anonymously via independent charity www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning them on 0800 555 111.”
A large police presence appears to be focused on around two allotment buildings. One witness told Teesside Live that officers were “coming and going all night,” adding “lots of crime scene officers. I was here waiting to get in around 11pm and they were all still here.”
Another said two allotments were cordoned off. “Police have closed two allotments within the full site, they’re stood on guard and they’re all taped off,” the witness said. “One where the body is and one where the location of a phone call was made.”
One person told how they were escorted into the allotment by police to only feed their animals. “I spend three hours a day here feeding my livestock and I was escorted in by an officer and was told I could only feed my animals. No time to clean them out, just feed. These animals are my livelihood,” the witness said.