Police launch probe as human bones ‘unearthed by wildfires’ at west London beauty spot

Human bones have been found at a popular beauty spot in west London, with the Met treating it as a crime scene.Officers first attended the site, at the Bedfont Lakes Country Park in Hounslow, on Wednesday, August 12, following reports that bones had been found.Police said the bones have been confirmed as human, and that a probe is underway to establish the age and identity of the remains.A police cordon, which was put up seven days ago, is still in place close to the footbridge leading to Edward Pauling School, according to local residents.One local said that the remains were uncovered as a result of two recent wildfires in the area - but this has not been confirmed by the London Fire Brigade (LFB).LFB attended a grass fire near Watermead in Feltham on August 2, and a second fire near Ambleside Drive in Feltham on August 5, with both blazes seeing around two hectares of shrubland being set alight.Fire burns away the topsoil which can reveal hidden items buried beneath, including historical or modern skeletal remains. A crime scene remains in place and the Met are carrying out further enquiries.A Met spokesperson said: “Police were called at 18:35hrs on Wednesday, 12 August to reports of bones being found at Bedfont Pits, Feltham.“The bones were confirmed to be human and further testing is underway to establish the age of the bones and ascertain identity.“An investigation is ongoing, and a crime scene remains in place.”