Sussex Police are searching for a man whose severed fingertip was posted through a letterbox.
Officers are investigating the “alarming” incident in the seaside town of Bognor Regis after the body part was reportedly discovered at a family home.
Tests have established the fingertip belongs to a man and a DNA profile has been checked against the national DNA and missing persons’ database.
However the search returned a negative result and the man’s identity remains unknown, Sussex Police said.
Chief Inspector Jon Carter said the discovery of the fingertip on 10 September was “an unusual and isolated incident”.
He added: “While we accept it may be alarming, I would like to reassure people that there have been no reports of similar incidents in the area.
“At this time there is no evidence to suggest that this is part of criminal activity or that any person has been targeted.”
Officers have been checking local hospitals and CCTV in the area in an effort to find the man whose fingertip was severed.
Police have urged anyone with anyone with information about the incident to contact the force.
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