A probe is underway after a body was found in a park near a school.

Police found a body in Harold Wood's Paines Brook Recreation Ground on Sunday (January 28) after being called at around 8.05pm that day.

There are several schools in the area, including Harold Wood Primary School.

Inspector Gary Deplanque said: “We know this death will cause genuine concern within the community, especially to people who have young children at the nearby school.

“We are doing everything we can to identify the person who has sadly died so that their family can be informed."

The death is being treated as unexplained and remains under investigation.

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Formal identification has not yet taken place and the dead person's next of kin have not been notified.

“I would like to thank everyone for their patience while a scene is in place, as we know this will cause disruption to residents," Insp Deplanque said.

“There will be a visible police presence in the area over the coming days and I would ask that anyone with information speaks with an officer," he added.

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 5817/28Jan.