Police have confirmed human remains found in a Nottinghamshire field are "not ancient" as investigations continue into the discovery. Officers were first called to Coxmoor Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, just before 7pm on Wednesday (April 26) after a member of the public found what they believed to be human remains and called police.
A large police presence, including forensic scientists, can now be seen in the area and a tent has been set up in the field where the remains were found. On Thursday afternoon, April 27, police closed both ends of Coxmoor Road and nearby residents expressed their "shock" about the situation.
Superintendent Claire Rukas, the County Area Commander for Nottinghamshire Police, gave an update outside Mansfield Police Station later on Thursday. Reading out a statement, Superintendent Rukas said: "Specialist officers are currently at the scene and will remain there for the next seven days as we work to find out who this person is, how they died, when they died and how they came to be at this location.
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"They are being supported in this work by forensic scientists and an anthropologist who will help us to determine the age of the bones. What we can say at this time is that they are not ancient bones."
Superintendent Rukas asked people to respect the large cordon and no fly-zone that is in place to "protect the integrity" of the scene. She added that police were currently limited in what they could say, but that updates would be given "as and when they become available."
Superintendent Rukas added: "We know this discovery will cause considerable concern in the local community. But I would like to reassure people that everything that can be done is being done and will continue to be done.
"First and foremost, our priority is to identify this individual so that we can locate and inform their loved ones." One witness described seeing forensic officers and a JCB 'digging' up the ground as part of the investigation.
The affected area is situated near the Little Nomanshill car park, between Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Ravenshead. The no fly-zone over the scene includes drones and Superintendent Rukas said that people would be "aiding" the investigation by respecting the zone.
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