Homeless people are wanted by police after an 80-year-old woman was found dead at an allotment.

Lea Adri-Soejoko’s body was found in a lock-up store at the site in Sheaveshill Avenue, Colindale, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The pensioner was the secretary of the Colindale Allotment and had been reported missing at 1.40am, after she failed to attend a gardening meeting in Barnet.

Police are looking at previous crime in the area and tracing people “who may have been rough sleeping in and around at certain times”.

They apparently know the cause of Ms Adri-Soejoko’s death but have not revealed it publicly.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh said: "We would like to establish who those individuals are and account for them”.

In an earlier statement, he said: “At the moment we do not have a motive for Lea’s murder and I am appealing to the public to help us piece together her movements before her death.

“I want to trace anyone who saw Lea or spoke to her from about midday on Sunday through to when she was reported missing.

“Had anything happened in her life we should be aware of which might provide a motive for what happened?

“I am particularly keen to speak to anyone with links to these allotments, who might have visited or been in or around the area throughout Monday (Feb 27) into the early hours of the following morning.

“An elderly woman lost her life in the most tragic way possible and was left inside a storage unit similar to a garage.”

There have been no arrests so far.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact police on 020 8785 8099, via 101 or @MetCC.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.