Police swarmed a cemetery on the outskirts of Manchester after children playing there came across “skulls and other bones”, according to reports.
Greater Manchester Police maintained a presence at the Dukinfield Cemetery on the outskirts of Manchester today, September 15, following the strange discovery on Saturday night, as inquiries continued, Tameside Correspondent reports.
Several Greater Manchester Police vehicles attended Tower Street, near the cemetery, which was closed overnight but reopened to the public today, with officers continuing to patrol the area.
This afternoon, the force revealed that they had found suspected human remains from a historic gravesite they believe was disturbed by “wildlife”, whilst emphasising that it was not a criminal investigation.
It is thought police will remain at the scene until the remains are released by the coroner.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police later revealed that the force had been “responding to an incident on Park Road in Dukinfield, Tameside, where suspected human remains were found”.
They added: “Our investigations have been concluded and it has been determined that there is no criminality and the remains that were found are from a historical burial site that had been disturbed by wildlife.
“We remain at the scene to assist the local authority, and any information can be directed to Tameside Council.”
Detective Inspector Christoper Dean, from GMP’s Tameside district, added: “I would like to thank the general public and the local community for their patience and understanding while we carried out our investigations in Dukinfield this morning and into the afternoon.”
He reiterated that no criminality had occurred and that the force “will continue to assist them with scene management”.
The local council confirmed wildlife was to be blamed for the incident.
A Tameside Council Spokesperson said: “The historic burial site was unfortunately disturbed by wildlife in the area. The site will be kept secure as we make the appropriate arrangements to sensitively return the remains to their resting place and restore the land.
“We would like to thank Greater Manchester Police for their swift investigation and support.”