Murder inquiry is launched

A murder probe was launched today after police divers carried out a search of the River Severn at Stourport.

See also: Murder hunt on river body

The victim has not been named but is believed to have been found dead several months ago.

Major police searches were carried out along parts of the banks of the River Severn in the town yesterday.

Forty officers, including a specialist search unit from South Wales, and a team of police divers were involved and scoured the river bed in an area close to Stourport bridge. Police today confirmed they were carrying out a "murder inquiry" but have refused to release any further information for "operational reasons".

Deputy Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Dean Jones was expected to issue details later today.