Human remains discovered in the garden of a bungalow in south‑east London are being examined by the Metropolitan Police after builders stumbled on the find last week.
Officers attended a property on Aperfield Road, Biggin Hill, after a call at about 15:30 BST on Friday, the force said. Initial specialist examination established that the material was human bone. Authorities have since moved the remains for further tests to determine their age and identity.
Local disruption and cordon
Residents reported a sizeable police presence while the area was sealed off. According to a local newspaper report, the immediate vicinity of the home was cordoned for around six days as investigators worked at the scene.
A neighbour described the discovery as occurring during renovation work.
“The builders discovered something on Friday and of course they completely had to stop work,”the resident told the publication.
The Met confirmed the scene has since been closed, but said inquiries continue as officers try to establish the full circumstances surrounding the find. The force provided the following statement:
"The crime scene is now closed and an investigation remains ongoing to establish the full circumstances."
What the next steps are
Forensic work on human remains follows a sequence of standard procedures. In this case, the police have indicated that the bones have already undergone a primary confirmation and are now subject to additional tests to clarify identity and age. Practical next steps include:
- Specialist laboratory analysis to confirm whether the bones are contemporary or historic;
- Forensic anthropology and, where possible, DNA sampling to assist identification;
- Household inquiries and checks of missing‑persons databases;
- Local canvassing for witnesses and anyone with relevant information.
Officers typically balance the need to preserve potential evidential material with a duty to keep the local community informed. At this stage the Met has not linked the discovery to any named missing person or issued any public appeals for potential family members.
Community reaction
People living nearby said the find came as a shock. The presence of builders at the address — carrying out improvements to the bungalow, neighbours said — added to a sense of unease among residents while policing activity continued.
Local councillors and community groups often expect clear communication from police following such incidents, particularly where properties remain lived in. Neighbours I spoke with this morning stressed the need for prompt updates from the Met so the area can move on once investigators are satisfied.
For the record
The basic facts confirmed by the police so far are set out in the table below.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Aperfield Road, Biggin Hill (south‑east London) |
| Time reported | About 15:30 BST on Friday |
| Initial finding | Material confirmed as human bone |
| Current status | Undergoing further forensic tests; crime scene closed but investigation ongoing |
Anyone with information that might assist the investigation has been asked to contact the Metropolitan Police. If you believe you have information relevant to this incident, you should call the non‑emergency number or follow guidance on the Met’s website.
This story will develop as tests return and police provide further detail. Local residents told me they want clarity on how long the inquiry might take and reassurance that the findings will be handled with sensitivity towards any potential next of kin.
I spoke to neighbours who described a mixture of curiosity and anxiety while the investigation continued; they urged the Met to share results swiftly so the community can be given definitive answers.
For now, the investigation remains active and officers are continuing routine forensic and tracing work to determine who the remains belong to and how they came to be in the garden at Aperfield Road.
