Police have disclosed that human remains discovered in a basement by construction workers could belong to children.
Workers involved in construction noticed something alarming during renovations at a house in Lytham, Lancashire, on August 15 and reported it to the police.
Crime
Crime scene investigators arrived at the property on Cleveland Road and all construction activities were halted.
A forensic vehicle was observed stationed on the quiet row of houses as officials wearing protective gear searched the area.
The remains have now been verified as human, and investigations have enabled the police to conclude that ‘these could belong to children and represent an isolated historic interment’.
Detective Inspector Andrew Crook from West CID stated: “This is a deeply tragic find, and we are still conducting our investigations to determine the identity of the remains, including their age and cause of death.”
While we remain open-minded, I want to emphasize that we are not considering this as unusual. At this point, we believe the burial is of historical significance.
We appreciate the homeowners and builders for their understanding during the time we had investigations taking place at the site.
Maps dating back to the middle of the 19th century indicate that the house was constructed on the location of a former lawn for playing bowls.
At the start of the century, the open space was transformed into a row of terrace homes adjacent to an expanded railroad track.
A planning application filed in May of this year indicates that the present homeowners are constructing an addition featuring a game room and a movie theater, along with a fresh rear extension equipped with sliding windows leading into the house’s yard.
Property owners are additionally transforming their basement utility meter room into a living area complete with a kitchen, along with a newly built basement bedroom and restroom.
The remains have since been taken out of the residence, and investigations will keep proceeding to determine their identity, according to authorities.
The police are requesting anyone who has details that can help identify them to contact them at 101, referencing log number 0616 from August 15.
It followed an incident earlier this year when a builder had to briefly leave his newly built house as authorities examined the backyard, where a human skeleton was discovered.
At age 41, Nick Routledge was excavating a trench in his backyard when he came across a disturbing find on March 8.
This resulted in the small dead-end street of Brookside Close in the quiet Lincolnshire town of Ancaster, close to Grantham, becoming filled with police vehicles.
The small cottage was kept under continuous police surveillance for several days following the finding.
A police vehicle was stationed at the entrance, with the yard blocked off using blue and white caution tape.
The age of the remains remained unknown, and official identification was still pending, according to authorities.
Neighbor Malcolm Lister, 82, mentioned that the property owner hadn’t been living there for very long and discovered the remains while working on his yard.
He stated: “At first, there were two police vehicles and four trucks present, and the Crime Scene Investigation team also arrived. They entered and took a look, but we truly have no idea what is happening.”
“They [the owners] haven’t been here for very long. It’s a peaceful neighborhood — we recognize people by their appearance and maybe some by their names, but otherwise, everyone tends to keep to themselves,” said Mr. Lister.
Ancaster is a community with origins from the Roman era, home to approximately 1,000 people. However, locals do not believe it holds significant historical value.
Mr. Lister mentioned that he was informed by the authorities that the remains were “not of old age.”
Another inhabitant, who preferred anonymity, mentioned that the find was located beyond the boundary of the Roman town.
A crime scene tent was set up in the modest backyard while investigators were seen working within, as stunned neighbors reported.
Several individuals have resided in the house throughout the years, with at one point a police officer living there, as reported by neighbors.
Mr Routledge
and his wife Binta Binet purchased the property for £180,000 in February 2024, with Mr. Routledge informing neighbors about their intention to begin a family there.
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