Police have started a murder investigation following a body being discovered in Hollow Ponds, Snaresbrook, last week.

The post morten examination into the body was completed on Saturday and detectives are now treating the death as murder.

An incident room has been opened in Barking under Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Piscopo from the Homicide and Major Crime Command.

On Wednesday evening police were called by a member of the public to reports of a body, partially buried and wrapped in plastic, close to Hollow Ponds along Whipps Cross Road, in Snaresbrook.

The body of a man was removed from the area the next day. The next of kin have been informed.

The body was decomposed and there has been no confirmation as to how long it was at the scene.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses and information from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the Hollow Ponds area over the last few weeks.

Det Ch Insp Piscopo said: “Hollow Ponds is a busy and popular local beauty spot, with a café and a boating lake.

“It is also surrounded by a number of busy roads, including Whipps Cross Road.

“We would like to speak to anyone who may have been in the area the last several weeks, and may have witnessed any unusual or suspicious activity, to come and speak to us.”

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact the incident room at Barking on 020 8345 3715 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestopers-uk.org.