Appeal after man's body found in school grounds

Police are investigating after the body of a man was found in the grounds of a Wolverhampton school.

The 45-year-old man was found with injuries on the grounds of Smestow Academy, Windmill Crescent on Monday morning and was pronounced dead at the scene.

West Midlands Police said they were currently treating his death as unexplained and were reviewing CCTV footage from around the area to establish what happened.

The victim was seen at 01:00 GMT on Monday morning, on Wheatsheaf Road in Wolverhampton, the force said, before then being sighted on the school grounds at 07:15.

Emergency crews were called to the school at about 10:40 GMT following the discovery.

The man was last seen wearing a distinctive camouflage jacket, grey gilet, jeans, and a beanie hat.

He was also carrying a red rucksack and may have been wearing sunglasses.

Det Ch Insp Phil Poole, from the force's homicide unit, said: "We are in the early stages of our investigation, and I would ask that people do not speculate on the circumstances.

"We know this has caused concern in the community and there will be extra officers in the area for reassurance.

"Anyone who may have seen the victim in the early hours of this morning is urged to get in touch with us."

The force added that specialist detectives were supporting the victim's loved ones.

The school, which has pupils aged from 11 to 18, closed at 13:00 GMT as inquiries got under way to confirm the man's identity and the circumstances around his death.

In a post on social media later, the school said it would be able to re-open on Tuesday and would be holding assemblies in the morning to reassure pupils.

The body was found "at the edge of the grounds", the school said, prompting police to ask for the closure so they could investigate.

"The police have now given us the go ahead to open as usual tomorrow," a spokesperson said.

"There will be pupil assemblies throughout the morning to reassure them.

"If your child has been affected, they can speak with their head of house who will be able to provide specialist support."

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