Murder investigation launched after woman found dead in Batley
The body of a woman was found following an armed robbery in Dewsbury
A murder investigation is underway in Batley, West Yorkshire, after police discovered the body of a woman at a property on Norfolk Street.
The incident began shortly after 9.21pm on Saturday 26th July, when officers responded to reports of an armed robbery at the Asda store in Dewsbury. A 37-year-old man was arrested at the scene and a knife was seized.
Following his arrest, the man told officers that a woman, who he believed to be deceased, could be found at an address in Batley. Officers attended the property on Norfolk Street, where they found the body of a woman believed to be in her twenties. Formal identification has not yet taken place.
The same man was then arrested on suspicion of murder.
West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that initial enquiries suggest two further individuals—a man and a woman—may have come to harm. Officers are actively working to locate them, with ongoing police activity centred around Dewsbury town centre, the River Calder, and Westtown.
Detective Chief Inspector Dan Bates of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, who is leading the investigation, said:
“This is clearly a very serious incident, where a young woman has lost her life.
“There is a heightened police presence in Dewsbury today as we work to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident. Our immediate priority is to identify and locate the two people and establish whether or not they have come to any harm.
“A murder investigation is also underway and we do not believe there is any wider risk to the public at this time.
“We recognise this inquiry will cause concern in the community; we are working closely with our colleagues in the local neighbourhood policing team, who have stepped up patrols in the town centre.
“I would like to appeal to anyone who may have information that would assist to come forward and speak to us. We are also looking for any CCTV, doorbell and dash cam footage people might have to help our investigation.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police via 101 or through the Live Chat service at westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus, quoting crime reference 13250426256.
Details can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.