No human remains found in search of Clean Plate Cafe in Gloucester
It was thought a possible victim of serial killer Fred West could be buried there
Last updated 27th May 2021
No human remains or "items of significance" have been found at the Clean Plate Cafe in Gloucester, Gloucestershire Police say.
Excavation work had been ongoing at the site on Southgate Street for a week after an ITV documentary crew found evidence to suggest a body could be buried there.
The cafe has long been linked with then 15-year-old Mary Bastholm who disappeared in 1968 and has never been found.
She used to work at the cafe and Fred West had been a regular customer. He also carried out renovation work in the basement.
"Digging to access and examine six areas of interest or ‘anomalies’ in the cellar area began last Wednesday (19 May)," a statement from the police reads.
"The anomalies were identified by a team of expert forensic archaeologists and anthropologists ahead of the excavation work, with the experts able to determine that the remaining areas of the cellar had been undisturbed since prior to 1968, when Mary Bastholm disappeared.
"Each area was carefully examined by the forensics team with support from officers from the Constabulary.
"The team worked each day, everything that was dug up was analysed on site and all activity was meticulously logged and photographed."
The police say Mary's family have been updated and the cafe will be handed back to its owners once "reparation work" is completed.
They add further statements will be released by officers and Mary's family in due course.
The evidence the ITV crew found which sparked this latest enquiry was a piece of blue material buried under the floor, thought to be significant as Mary was wearing a blue coat when she went missing.