Video: Two held after decomposed body of boy, 3, found in Bradford house

Police officers made the grim discovery when they were called to a terraced property in Crofton Road at Heaton after neighbours raised concerns about the occupants.

A post-mortem examination has established that the body was that of a boy aged around three-and-a-half years old.

The cause of death has yet to be established and more tests are being carried out.

The arrested woman, who is 41, is understood to be the mother of the boy. The arrested man, who is 22, is believed to be a relative.

The boy’s body was discovered by police at about 2.40pm on Wednesday.

Detectives with the West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are investigating the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death.

It is understood the child had been dead for some time.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of death of the child.

“A 40-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man have been arrested and are in custody.”

Police were initially unsure whether the body was that of a girl or a boy and they did not know the age until the results of a post-mortem examination were given.

Officers attended the property after “concerns were raised about the occupants of the house”, a police spokesman added.

Detectives are not seeking anyone else in connection the investigation.

In the small front garden of the mid-terrace house in Crofton Road, a bunch a flowers with a small teddy attached had been tied to a tree.

A note on it, addressed to the little boy, said: “Sleep tight little angel.”

The road is a quiet cul-de-sac of only a dozen houses.

One neighbour said the woman who lived at the house moved in about two years ago.

She said she did not know her or her large family very well but would often see her bringing in the shopping. She had not seen much of her in recent weeks.

The neighbour, who has lived in the street for six years, said: “It’s just such a terrible shock. This really is a quiet area.

“No one knows what’s happened. It’s just incredibly sad.”

Plain clothes police were conducting door-to-door inquiries in the street and another officer was on guard in the alleyway behind the house.

The back garden appeared to be undisturbed.

Bradford Council leader Coun Ian Greenwood said: “Clearly this is a terrible tragedy. The discovery of this child’s body has been upsetting and shocking for all of us.

“The council’s first priority has been to make sure the other children in the family are safe and cared for.

“The police are keeping us fully informed and we will continue to work closely with them as the investigations continue.”

Local councillors said they were shocked by the discovery.

They described the area as a mix of white and Asian families.

Coun Sajid Akhtar said: “I do know that area quite well. It is a mixed street and is a cul-de-sac.

“What has happened is shocking.

“People around here are concerned but they do not know what has happened.

“The area is a nice place to live and the people are decent.”

Neighbours said they had little idea what had led to the tragedy.

One neighbour said: “They were a very distant kind of family, didn’t really mix with anyone.

“It’s scary to think something like this could happen on your doorstep.

“Even now I am struggling to believe it’s happened.”