Police were contacted by a neighbouring force on the afternoon of Tuesday, 9 January following a report they had received from a concerned member of the public about a person who had potentially come to harm in London.
At 01.07am on Wednesday, 10 January police traced a car to the Stratford Centre car park in Newham. A man’s body was found in the car.
Police are working to confirm the man’s identity and inform next of kin. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course.
A man was arrested in the early hours of 10 January at a residential address in Hampshire on suspicion of murder.
Crime scenes are in place in Newham and Hampshire and an investigation has been launched, led by officers from Specialist Crime and supported by local officers in Newham.
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, responsible for policing in Newham, said: “I know many local people use the Stratford Centre every day and this awful incident will of course cause considerable concern to shoppers and retailers.
“I would like to reassure people that a man is in custody and, while my colleagues in Specialist Crime investigate, we do not believe there to be any danger to other people.
“If you have information that you think could help us, I urge you to contact police immediately.”
Anyone who has information or material that could help police should call 101 ref CAD 4310/9 Jan.
