A murder investigation has been launched after a badly burned body was found in the back garden of a home in Southfields.

Police said the body found at the scene in Wimbledon Park Road, near Southfields tube station, yesterday (September 20) was too badly burned for the gender and age of the person to be established.

Officers were called shortly before 6.30pm to reports of a fire and a person found dead.

A 40-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.

Both have been taken to separate south London police stations where they currently remain for questioning.

A cordon has been set up around the property and police say enquiries are underway to identify the deceased. A post-mortem examination will be undertaken soon.

The Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC) are leading the investigation and working with police in Wandsworth.

Detective inspector Richard Leonard, from the HMCC, said: “A badly burned body has been found in the rear garden of this residential address. We are doing everything we can to identify the deceased.

"A post-mortem examination will establish how they died.

"Early indications are that attempts were made to dispose of the body.

"I would like to appeal to those in and around the area to come forward with information.

"You may well have seen or heard something suspicious in the last few days which could assist our investigators."

Superintendent Peter Gardner from Wandsworth said: “I fully appreciate the concern that this investigation will cause in the local community.

"Specialist investigators will be carrying out work at the scene whilst local neighbourhood officers will be patrolling in and around the area to help reassure residents and, where possible, respond to their concerns.”

If you have information please call the police’s incident room on 0208 721 4843 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also tweet information to police direct via @MetCC.