Police are investigating whether a 21-year-old man from Romford whose body was found on railway tracks on Wednesday afternoon was trying to steal metal.

Vladislav Denissenko was pronounced dead after paramedics and British Transport Police (BTP) officers were called to the line near Whalebone Lane South, Dagenham.

A spokesman said: “BTP officers attended the incident and discovered the body of a man.

“The incident was reported at 2.40pm and is currently being treated as non-suspicious.

“Paramedics also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Police say that they are investigating how he came to be on the tracks and that he may have been attempting to steal metal from the railway.

Trains did not stop at Chadwell Heath or Goodmayes on Wednesday afternoon while the investigation was being carried out.

According to police figures from across the UK, two people die every month while attempting to steal metal or cable.