THE BODY of a man stabbed to death has been discovered in a small village in South Gloucestershire on Christmas Eve.

Police have appealed to the public’s health in tracing the movements of Mohammed Abdurezek in the time before his body was found on Gibbs Lane in the village of Siston at around 10.10am on Saturday.

A post-mortem examination found the 31-year-old died from stab wounds.

DCI James Riccio, from the Avon and Somerset major crime investigation team (MCIT), said: “A full investigation is being carried out into the circumstances of this tragic incident in which a man has lost his life.

“As part of our inquiry we’re releasing a photograph of Mr Abdurezek in the hope that someone may recognise him and recall having seen him during the past few days.

“While we’re at an early stage, we’re confident Mr Abdurezek was based in Bristol and had links to a number of other places across the UK, including Swansea and Newcastle.

“Did you know Mr Abdurezek? Do you know where he lived and who he lived with? If you did know him, when did you last see him?

“If you have any information which could help us, or saw or heard anything suspicious in Siston in the 48 hours before his body was discovered, please call us. Every piece of information is important.”

DCI Riccio added: “House-to-house enquiries have been carried out in the local area while specialist crime scene investigators have examined the location where his body was found.

“We’re aware this will have an impact on the wider community and would encourage anyone with concerns to contact their local neighbourhood team.”

Officers have asked for anyone who recognises Mohammed Abdurezek, and either remembers having seen him in the past few days, or has any information that could assist in their investigation, to call MCIT on 101 using the reference 5216284767.