Key Events
Here's a round-up of what's happened so far
Test are being carried out to try to identify a body which was found in Ravensthorpe.
Police have launched a major inquiry after the shocking discovery by a member of the public.
The body was in a wooded area close to the bank of the River Calder, a few yards from its confluence with the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal.
The area adjoins an industrial estate, but is inaccessible from there due to large fencing, and the only access is along the canal towpath off Low Mill Lane.
Police say it is too early to speculate on how long the body may have been there, and tests will be needed to determine the sex and age, and how the person died.
The body was discovered about 9.15am on Monday by someone out walking, who alerted police in Dewsbury.
The inquiry is being led by the West Yorkshire Homicide and Major Enquiry team.
Det Chief Insp Mark Swift said; “Enquiries are at a very early stage to establish the circumstances of how the body came to be there, and the identity of the deceased.”
A stretch of the canal towpath has been sealed off since Monday, and police were planning to take aerial pictures of the scene.
Low Mill Lane runs off the main Huddersfield Road and gives access to a large number of firms.
One worker said: “Police arrived at the area yesterday and there seems to be more activity this morning. No-one has said what is happening.”
The body was found at the rear of the Arthur Brook Scarpyard on the industrial estate.
Staff there said they had not been informed of the discovery.
Although close to the scene, there is no direct access from the scrapyard to the river bank.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101.
Watch: Examiner reporter Phil Booth on the body's discovery
Examiner reporter Phil Booth rushed to the scene after hearing about the discovery this morning.
Here he is describing exactly what’s happened so far - and with more detail about the investigation which has now been launched by police:
Body could have been there for sometime
The isolated area means the body could have been at the scene for sometime.Police say it is too early to speculate and further tests will be needed to establish how long it had been there.
The body was found at the rear of the Arthur Brooks Scrapyard on the industrial estate.Staff there said they had not been informed of the discovery.
Although close to the scene, there is no direct access from the scrapyard to the river bank.
Watch: Police launch major investigation after body found in Ravensthorpe
Here’s a video to update you on the story so far:
Identity not known
Police have told us it’s to early for them to confirm to us the identity of the body found. We also don’t yet know the sex or approximate age. Police are not saying at this point whether they actually know the identity or not.
Body found close to bridge
The area where the body was found is at the back of an industrial estate, but is inaccessible from there due to large fencing.
The only way to the scene is to follow the canal towpath, and the body was found about 400 yards from a bridge in Low Mill Lane.The wooded area is on the side of the River Calder, close to where the canal joins the river.
Body removed from the scene
A member of the public contacted Dewsbury police to report finding a body yesterday morning. The body’s been taken away from the scene and is being examined further.
Towpath has been sealed off for several hours
A stretch of the canal towpath off Low Mills Lane has been sealed off for several hours.
The towpath runs alongside the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal and close to the River Calder.
Low Mills Lane runs off the main Huddersfield Road and gives access to a large number of firms.
One worker said: “Police arrived at the area yesterday and there seems to be more activity this morning.
“No-one has said what is happening”.
Police statement
“Enquiries are at a very early stage to establish the circumstances of how the body came to be there, and the identity of the deceased.” - Det Chief Insp Mark Swift
Here's what we know so far
A body has been found in Ravensthopre.
Detectives have now launched a major inquiry but have yet to determine what has happened.
The inquiry is being led by the West Yorkshire Homicide and Major Enquiry team and a section of the canal towpath off Low Mills Lane has been sealed off.
Police were called around 9.15am yesterday to a report of a body by the canal, near to Low Mill Lane, Ravensthorpe.
