Mystery of bone found in Primark sock set to remain unsolved, say police

‘It is highly probable that the object was placed there by an individual for unknown reasons,’ says store

Christmas socks: one customer had a grisly surprise after Christmas (iStock)

Why a piece of human bone came to be in a new pair of socks sold by a Primark store looks destined to for ever remain a mystery.

Police say they cannot link the discovery to a crime, and have closed the investigation unless further information comes to light.

One of the socks, which were bought in the Colchester branch before Christmas last year, was found to have what experts think was part of a phalanx, a finger bone, in it.

Essex Police said they had investigated as far as was “reasonably and proportionately possible”.

A spokesman said it was a possibility the bone was placed in the sock in its country of origin, but this cannot be confirmed.

“It did not appear to be a result of recent trauma and had no skin or other particles surrounding it,” he said.

“At this time it is not linked to a criminal act,” he added.

“The investigation has been filed. If further information comes to light it will be reviewed.”

A Primark spokesman said: “In January 2019 we carried out an investigation at the factory where these socks were made, and found no evidence to suggest any incident had occurred there.

“It is highly probable that the object was placed in the socks by an individual for unknown reasons. Primark has been the subject of isolated incidents in the past, which have subsequently been found to have been hoaxes.

“Following our own and the police investigation, we consider the matter closed.”

When the customer reported the gruesome find in January, the chain said it was taking the matter very seriously, and apologised for any distress caused.