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Body found in search for missing West Midlands man after car found in river

A body has been found in the search for a missing West Midlands man in the River Severn after a car was found in the water.

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A police boat in the River Severn in Shrewsbury town centre

Police are trawling the River Severn, which runs through Shrewsbury town centre, looking for 33-year-old Ashley Atkins who was reported missing on Tuesday.

His disappearance is thought to be linked to an incident where a car ended up in the river in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A 39-year-old man and a 27-year-old man - both from Birmingham - were arrested in Shrewsbury on Tuesday on suspicion of conspiring to commit burglary.

They have been released pending further investigation.

West Mercia Police confirmed in a statement that a body had been recovered from the water this afternoon.

A spokeswoman said: "Formal identification has not yet taken place, however Mr Atkins' next of kin have been informed."

The force said an investigation into the circumstances are ongoing.

West Mercia Police said Mr Atkins is from the West Midlands but have refused to specify which area.

Chief Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: "Officers came across a vehicle in the river at around 2am.

"We believe it may be linked to a vehicle seen acting suspiciously in the area shortly before.

"With the help of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service we searched the river and the river bank area where the car was found."

Officers from South Wales are helping with the search

Officers from South Wales Police had been helping with the search, with specialist water teams based at Frankwell Quay in Shrewsbury town centre.

Anybody with information can call West Mercia Police on 101 citing incident 18N of 16 April.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org

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