Police grow ‘increasingly concerned’ for mother of newborn baby who was found dead on roadside – as officers want to trace five people seen nearby
- Police grow ‘increasingly concerned’ for the welfare of missing mother
- A newborn baby was found dead in a Portsmouth street on Saturday at 6.15am
- The baby was left between Victoria Street and Old Commercial Road
- Officers say CCTV identified five people who walked close to scene from 5am
- Police appealing for anyone with CCTV or dash cam footage to come forward
Flowers and a teddy bear have been poignantly left on a Portsmouth street where the body of a newborn baby was found yesterday morning, as police step up their efforts to trace the missing mother.
Police are ‘increasingly concerned’ following the discovery of the tiny infant at the junction of Victoria Street and Old Commercial Road, at around 6.15am on Saturday morning and have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries.
Officers are particularly keen to contact five people seen on CCTV, who walked through Old Commercial Road from 5am until the time police were called.
Flowers and a teddy bear were today left at the scene where a newborn baby was found dead in Portsmouth, on Saturday morning
Police are ‘increasingly concerned’ following the discovery of the tiny infant at the junction of Victoria Street and Old Commercial Road, at around 6.15am on Saturday morning
In a statement issued today, DCI Simon Baker said: ‘I want to reiterate that our priority right now remains ensuring the welfare of the mother.
‘This must be an extremely distressing time for her, and it is vitally important that she seeks medical assistance.
‘I want to urge her to make contact with a medical professional as soon as possible – whether that be a GP, by attending a hospital or walk-in centre, or speaking to any other healthcare workers.
‘We have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries since yesterday morning and have a number of lines of enquiry.
‘From CCTV footage in the area, we have identified five people who walked through Old Commercial Road from 5am onwards yesterday morning to the time we were called.
‘I am now making a direct appeal to them. Please contact us.
‘Whether you saw anything or not, it helps us to build our picture of what has happened.
The Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum is close to the scene where the baby was found dead
‘If you did see something, it is not important why you did not stop, but we want to hear from you.
‘I also want to reiterate, if you have concerns for someone you know or suspect has been recently heavily pregnant or given birth, or are worried for the whereabouts of a recently born child, please contact us.
‘However insignificant you believe a piece of information may be, it could be vitally important to our investigation.’
Police set up a cordon following the discovery of the baby’s body on Saturday morning
DCI Baker also called on anyone who has CCTV cameras at their property or a dash cam in their car to contact the police.
Anyone with information can call 101, quoting Operation Cravat or the reference number 44200030626.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Forensics are seen looking for clues, as police step up their search for the missing mother
Graphic shows the location of the baby. Hampshire Police are growing ‘increasingly concerned’ for the mother and are appealing for information to help find her