Murder Investigation Launched After Man's Body Found In Leeds

Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a man's body in woods in Leeds on Tuesday morning..

The body of the 31-year-old man, whose name is not yet being released, was found by two teenage schoolboys in a beck in woods near the junction of Gledhow Valley Road and Gledhow Lane in Chapel Allerton shortly after 8am.

Work to establish the cause of his death is ongoing but detectives can now confirm that the man had been shot.

Detective Superintendent Simon Beldon, of West Yorkshire Police Protective Services (Crime), said: "We are now treating this man’s death as murder and we are conducting extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

"Although we are still awaiting the full findings of the forensic post mortem we can now say that the man had received injuries consistent with a firearm having been discharged. We are therefore particularly keen to hear from anyone who heard a bang or who saw anyone or any vehicles in the vicinity that could be linked to the incident.

"Our enquiries are at an early stage but it appears that this has been a targeted attack. Although this incident will understandably shock people in the community we don’t believe there is any wider risk to the general public.

"I would urge anyone with any information that could assist the investigation to contact us immediately."

(CVS/CD)