Workers speak of 'shock' as police swarm industrialised suburb after body found

Businesses around Fitzwilliam Street – not far from Mill Lane railway junction on the approach to Bradford Interchange – have spoken of their shock at the discovery of a body nearby, with police activity intensifying throughout the morning.

Detectives today confirmed that a body had been found in the investigation into the disappearance of Somaiya Begum, 20, who was reported missing on Sunday, June 26.

The news has created a subdued atmosphere in an area that's home to many businesses, including engineering firms, car repair garages and a number of lock-up industrial units. Those we spoke to created a picture of an area that falls quiet after normal business hours.

A representative from one company in the area, who didn't wish to be named, told the Telegraph & Argus: "At nighttime down here it's very very quiet, obviously people take advantage of that quietness."

Another said that police arrived at around 6.30pm last night, but “nothing was happening at that point.”

“This is the first time they were here last night. When I saw police and I thought 'what's happening?' he said.

“The tent went up about half 8. I'm surprised - you don't expect it at all, it's been a bit of a shock."

Another person said: “I just got here this morning and saw it all, it's a shock if there is anything there.”

A police cordon in place at one end of Fitzwilliam Street

Someone else at a business nearby, again not wanting to be named, said: “It's upsetting seeing the cordon, you're worried it's something serious, I feel for the people involved.

“This morning, one of the guys who was in first sent a message to say there's blue tents, police everywhere.

“Everyone is a bit subdued.”

He added that people from the business park their cars on the road and added: "You think, if you turned to the right, you don't know what you would have seen."