Police dig up patio in body hunt

Police were digging up a patio in the garden of a cancer sufferer today after receiving information that a body could be buried beneath.

Search teams began excavations at the property in Fulham, south-west London, on Tuesday.

Roy Heath, 58, who lives at the address, has been spoken to by police about the investigation, The Sun reported. It is understood he is currently being treated in hospital.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman would only say the investigation was launched following a tip-off.

"Police are executing a search warrant at an address in Alderville Road, in Fulham, in response to information received from a member of the public," he said.

Sources said the probe is linked to a claim that a body could be buried in the garden.

One resident, who lives nearby but declined to be named, said: "As far as I'm aware they are digging up something. People have said they are looking for a body but people say a lot of things.

"There's a police guy standing outside the door.

"I don't know the person living there or anything about him."

Another resident, who also asked not be identified, added: "The police have told us they'll be here for a few days.

"I don't know exactly what's going on but the impression I got is it's related to something that happened a long time ago - before I moved here 11 years ago.

"I've seen police digging up the back garden."

One neighbour, Will Rollo, 31, who installs home cinemas, said: "They were drilling yesterday afternoon but I think they've dug it all up now.

"It's a couple who live at the house.

"I think he is unwell. I knew he had cancer."

Neighbours said police officers were seen removing bags from the house on Tuesday.

They said the garden had been covered with a patio for several years.

A white tent was put up over the garden as excavations continued.

Insurance firm managing director John Hooper, 53, who lives nearby, said: "The police came round to say they were investigating the possibility a body was in the back garden. I don't know any more than that."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "We were told a week ago by the police that they were investigating and then they arrived yesterday.

"The police told us that they had information a body could have been there for at least 10 years."