Man's body found at recreation ground in Harborough village

A police investigation is going ahead after the man’s body was discovered just before 8am on Sunday, September 6, at Smeeton Road Recreation Ground in the Harborough village.

The man’s death is currently being treated as “unexplained”, police said, as officers try to establish how he died.

But they do not believe that any “third party” was involved in his death.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman told the Harborough Mail: “Officers were called to a park in Smeeton Road, Kibworth, at 7.52am today (Sunday) following a report of the body of a man being found.

“Officers attended the scene and enquiries are being carried out.”

She added: “The death is currently being treated as unexplained.

“It is not believed that any third party is involved.

“HM Coroner has been informed and identity is a matter for HM Coroner.”

Five police cars and at least one ambulance went to the scene after the grim find was made.

Police officers have sealed off the popular spot behind the village’s tennis courts.

Cllr Kevin Feltham, the local county councillor as well as parish councillor, said he believes the dead man is a well-known middle-aged man called Fred.

He’s believed to be a single man aged in his mid to late 50s originally from nearby Fleckney.

“It’s shocking and this has upset people here across Kibworth because Fred was so well known throughout to everyone.

“He must have lived rough here in the area for the last 15-20 years,” Kevin told the Harborough Mail.

“Fred used to sleep in a shed here in a field at the top of Fleckney Road.

“But he’s been in hospital recently with a bad leg and he couldn’t get up there.

“So we heard he was living in a tent at the recreation ground earlier this week."