Alice Gross
Boston Manor Park 'to remain closed' indefinitely while police continue to search.
Officers hunting for evidence following removal of a body believed to be the prime suspect in the murder of Alice Gross
Chris Longhurst
The body was found in a wood close to this section of Boston Manor Park
Boston Manor Park users are today (Monday) coming to terms with the aftermath following the gruesome discovery of a body over the weekend as police revealed the site will be closed indefinitely.
Officers have been posted at every entrance to the 34 acre site since the find by Met dog handlers who began combing the area on Saturday morning in connection with the murder of Hanwell teenager Alice Gross.
The body is believed to be that of Latvian Arnis Zalkalns, who was being hunted as prime suspect in the case long before the police discovered the 14-year-old's body in the River Brent on Tuesday last week (30).
The park which is home to the historic Boston Manor House is normally a lively and happy one, popular with families thanks to its pond, playground and open space - however at the moment it stands silent and sombre as search teams continue to check for evidence.
Friends of Boston Manor park cafe manager Linda Massey was at work as usual on Saturday when the dog handlers arrived.
She said: "It was 10.15am when we noticed there were a lot of police on site, then after I'd popped to the supermarket and come back there were bus fulls of them, and six dog handling units.
"There was meant to be tennis matches going on that day, but the rain had already seen most people go home anyway.
"By 3.15pm an officer came in to see us and said we might as well close up the cafe as there wouldn't be anymore customers as they were now shutting the whole park.
"Yesterday (Sunday) I was needed to go and lower the bollard in the car park so that the police could remove the body from the woods.
"It did feel strange as the ambulance passed right by me - knowing what was inside.
"At one point I counted 42 forensic officers all in a line walking along with sticks looking for evidence.
"All the film crews had gone up onto the roof of the car park in Transport Avenue and were on site for hours filming and photographing."
While the police are facing criticism for taking a month to find both suspect and victim, one of the most disconcerting elements from Mrs Massey's point-of-view is the fact the body was found a matter of feet away from where she and a group of 30 children planted a new orchard the week before.
She said: "People have pointed out how close we were to where this body was hanging and obviously it's not a nice thought.
"When we did the risk assessment ahead of the planting we did have to be mindful of the situation involving Alice - but the decision was made to go ahead and we couldn't possibly have known."
The park remained closed on Sunday, meaning all the scheduled tennis matches at Boston Manor Tennis Club had to be cancelled, as well as three planned matches by the Spartan Youth Football team.
There was also a child's birthday party planned which was offered an alternative location.
Mrs Massey is keen to see normality returned as soon as possible and said: "The most important thing to bear in mind at the moment is not to scaremonger. Some media were reporting that where the body was found is where children play - it's not. This is right down past the meadow and the playground and pond etc are up at the very top of the park.
Only dog walkers and staff from GSK go as far as that section, and I don't think anyone ever goes into that actual bit of woodland.
"This is a safe park."
Boston Manor Park had already been searched previously by officers, including examining the tents under the M4 flyover where homeless people are known to spend the night on a regular basis.
Alice herself was also believed to have visited the park on the day she disappeared.
The park is managed by Carillion on behalf of Hounslow Council. A spokesman for the council said: "The park is closed until further notice at the request of the police. We are offering all the assistance that is needed."
Hounslow London Borough Council