A murder investigation has been launched after a body was discovered inside a suitcase recovered from a canal in Little Venice.

The gruesome find was made after officers were called to the Grand Union Canal near Delamere Terrace, at 2.30pm yesterday.

The Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit and London Fire Brigade helped recover the suitcase.

The victim has yet to be identified.

A spokesman for the Met said: “The death is being treated as suspicious and detectives from Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating. We are working to discover the identity of the deceased.

A post-mortem examination is due to be held and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.