The murder investigation begins after the man’s body was found in the parking lot of a shopping center

A murder investigation has been launched after a man’s body was found in an east London shopping center car park.

The victim was found in a car in the early hours of Wednesday in the Stratford Center car park in Newham, the Metropolitan Police said.

Officers were alerted by Hampshire Police on Tuesday after a member of the public raised the alarm about someone potentially being injured in London.

A man was arrested in Hampshire on Wednesday on suspicion of murder, with crime scenes at his home and car park.

Police are working to confirm the man’s identity and tell his next of kin.

Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, who is in charge of policing in Newham, said: “I know many local people use Stratford Center every day and this horrific incident will of course cause considerable concern for shoppers and traders.

“I would like to reassure people that a man is in custody and while my colleagues at Specialist Crime investigate, we do not believe there is any danger to other people.

“If you have any information that you think could help us, I urge you to contact the police immediately.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting reference CAD 4310/9 Jan.