Investigation following abandoned baby reports

Detectives have launched an investigation following reports that a baby had been left by the side of a road in Edenfield last night (Tues 10 May).

Officers received information late last night that a female had given birth and then left the baby wrapped in a blanket in a bag by the side of Rochdale Road in Edenfield, Lancashire. The location was relatively secluded near to the top of ‘Owd Betts’ on the outskirts of Rochdale.

Police attended and found the bag and blanket containing an amount of blood. Both the bag and the blanket will be examined by forensic experts later today.

A number of enquiries were carried out throughout the night in a bid to establish exactly what has happened.

Superintendent Steve Pemberton from Burnley police said: “We are investigating the circumstances around this incident and are treating it very seriously and sensitively.

“At this early stage we haven’t established what was in the bag but urgent tests will be carried out throughout the day. The information we have is that a girl has given birth, leaving the baby at the location. The girl is described to have been highly distressed and we are extremely concerned for her and the baby’s safety.

“I would appeal direct to the girl to come forward. It could well be that she is hurt and in need of medical care. Although we can’t imagine what she is going through, there is plenty of help and support available to her. We would ask her to get in touch and I offer reassurance that our main concern in this enquiry is her welfare.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the Rochdale Road area of Edenfield last night and who may have witnessed something to contact police. This is a relatively secluded location however it is used as a main thoroughfare to Rochdale.

"In addition, enquiries have led us to potential links with the Failsworth area of Greater Manchester and we would appeal to people within that community to contact us with any information that may help our inquiry."

Anyone with information is asked to call Lancashire Constabulary on 01282 425001 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.