Statement issued as three-day police search confirmed part of 'ongoing investigation'

Yahoo

2 days ago

Police are continuing to scour a taped-off woodland and footpath for the third day as part of an 'ongoing investigation'.
A major operation has been ongoing in the South Road area of Norton since Friday evening after officers cordoned off a cycle path and woodland.
Pictures taken across the weekend show officers standing guard beside the blue and white police tape, while several police cars and vans remain parked on a nearby field.
More than a dozen police vehicles were in the area on Saturday, where officers were spotted searching on their hands and knees and entering the bushes with a shovel.
Searches continued into their third day today (Sunday, August 3).
Cleveland Police has now confirmed it is carrying out searches in some areas of Norton 'as part of an ongoing investigation'.
Police in Norton (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)
Police in Norton (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)
The full statement reads: 'Police are currently carrying out searches in some areas of Norton as part of an ongoing investigation.'
The nature of the probe remains unknown - although The Northern Echo understands it is not linked to a recent incident.
Police in Norton (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)
Police in Norton (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)
More areas were reportedly secured at the scene on Sunday, where 12 vehicles remained, four of them being vans 'full of police'.
Residents remain unaware of what the searches are linked to, with one person saying: 'They've been here for three days now.
'We don't know if we need to be worried or what, there's a lot of police in the field coming and going all day."
The Echo has contacted Cleveland Police for more information.