Dog walker finding 'severed ear' sparks Southampton police probe

A police cordon was put in place on a green off Colne Avenue, Millbrook just after midday on Sunday.

It came after a member of the public reported the gruesome find to police. 

Officers were seen in the area until around midday on Monday. 

Hampshire police said the severed ear is not believed to be human. Officers said enquiries have revealed the ear has likely come from an animal.

A police spokesperson said: "At 12.46pm on Sunday, March 20, a member of the public reported the discovery of a suspected severed ear on a green in Colne Avenue.

"The object has been sent off for analysis, but initial enquiries suggest it is animal-based.

READ MORE: Police find severed ear in Millbrook Southampton

"As a precaution, a cordon has been put in place to protect the area while we await the results.

"Officers do not believe there to be a wider threat to the public, nor that any criminal offences have been committed."

Enquiries are now ongoing but the area has now been reopened after the cordon was removed at about 11am. 

One resident who lives opposite the site said that police had been coming and going over the past 24 hours since the item was discovered. 

Now some residents have raised their concerns on social media about the incident. 

One Facebook user said: "Apparently - from one of the officers... a member of the public with their dog found something and had to wait for the specialist team to come which they are on scene now and looks like forensics."

READ MORE: Police to use dispersal order in Millbrook near Towers and shops

Police had been in the area recently in an effort to crackdown on a spate of anti-social behaviour.

A dispersal order had been put in place near Millbrook Towers over the weekend. 

It is not thought that the incident is connected to any recent anti-social behaviour at this stage.