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A MAN and woman have been arrested after they were 'found walking down a street carrying a woman's torso in a suitcase'.

Police have now launched a murder probe - with it understood more body parts have been found in the surrounding area in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.

 A police search team search woodland next to Stowfield Quarry near Coleford in the Forest of Dean after a man and woman were arrested
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A police search team search woodland next to Stowfield Quarry near Coleford in the Forest of Dean after a man and woman were arrestedCredit: � Andrew Lloyd
 A detective can be seen scouring the forest after the arrest
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A detective can be seen scouring the forest after the arrestCredit: � Andrew Lloyd
 Forensics were pictured at the scene of the grisly discovery
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Forensics were pictured at the scene of the grisly discoveryCredit: Huw Evans Picture Agency

It is understood the pair - a woman in her twenties from Birmingham and a man in his thirties from Wolverhampton - had been walking along a road near Coleford, Glos, when a passing police officer became suspicious of them and stopped to ask what was in the case.

Police were today granted an extra 36-hours to question the two people.

Detectives sealed off a large area of the Forest yesterday, with a number of forensic tents set up as work to identify the victim continues.

In a statement released today, a Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said that shortly after 10.30pm on May 12, a member of the public reported suspicions to police about a vehicle due to its manner of driving.

It had been travelling on the A4136 near Coleford and officers in the local area were able to locate it before speaking to the two people inside.

Two suitcases were found to contain human remains and two people, a woman aged in her 20s from Birmingham and a man aged in his 30s from Wolverhampton, were subsequently arrested.

They both remain in police custody following a 36-hour extension and the car was also seized.

Investigating officers believe there is one victim, a woman, and forensic examinations are ongoing to confirm her identity.

Senior Investigating Officer DCI John Turner said: "The nature of this incident is distressing and we're working around the clock to fully understand what has happened.

"Someone's life has been lost and our priority is to identify the victim and get answers for her family.

"Searches have taken place in the surrounding area for evidence gathering and contrary to media reports no remains have been found as part of these searches.

"Our Major Crime Investigation Team is working in collaboration with the West Midlands Police homicide team to carry out further enquiries."

The police search is centred around the Stowfield Quarry and surrounding area.

There was a large police presence in the area yesterday with roads to the scene all closed and a police helicopter hovering overhead.

 It is believed other body parts were found in the forest
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It is believed other body parts were found in the forestCredit: � Andrew Lloyd
 Police have arrested two people after allegedly making the grim discovery
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Police have arrested two people after allegedly making the grim discoveryCredit: GNS
 Police today confirmed the man and woman remained in police custody as they continued their searches
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Police today confirmed the man and woman remained in police custody as they continued their searchesCredit: � Andrew Lloyd
 A forensic tent was seen set up at the scene
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A forensic tent was seen set up at the sceneCredit: BPM Media
 The suspected human remains were found in the Forest of Dean
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The suspected human remains were found in the Forest of DeanCredit: BPM Media
 Police have now launched a murder probe
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Police have now launched a murder probeCredit: BPM Media