THE leading officer of the murder inquiry following the discovery of human remains in a river in Sudbury has expressed his ‘extreme gratitude’ for the support his team have been given so far.

Officers with Suffolk Police were called to the River Stour near Meadow Gate and Croft Bridge at 4.35pm on Thursday 27 August.

The police were alerted when human bones were recovered from the river inside two black bin bags.

Suffolk Police say the search of the river and its banks is continuing, assisted by divers from the Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit and dog handlers from Essex Police.

Expert analysis of the bones is ongoing with Suffolk Police saying some initial forensic results have been received.

Door-to-door enquiries have also been progressing with Suffolk Police peaking to the residents of over 100 properties so far.

More than 140 witnesses have also come forward to police as a result of the appeals with detectives currently assessing the information.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Brown, the Senior Investigating Officer, is now thanking residents for their considerable help during the investigation.

He said: “Detailed forensic investigations on the remains is continuing and, although progress is being made every day, as we have said previously, this will be a long and painstaking process to complete, as we strive to establish the identity of the victim.

“Such a complex investigation is a real team effort and I offer my extreme gratitude for all the expertise, knowledge and support we have received from various specialist and operational resources.

“Of course, part of that team effort is the support and understanding from the Sudbury community – we remain extremely appreciative of the patience they have shown us while a large police presence remains in the vicinity of the River Stour and whilst we conduct enquiries elsewhere in the town.”

Suffolk Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Major Investigation Team by calling 101 or via their online portal at mipp.police.uk/operation/363720N59-PO1

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Detectives also want to hear from anyone who may have driven their vehicle in the vicinity of The Croft between Monday 24 August and Thursday 27 August and has a dash cam fitted, to review the footage to see if they captured anything of significance.