'Heartbroken' residents lay flowers after dogwalker finds baby remains in Salford field

  • ITV Granada Reports' journalist Andy Bonner reports from the scene in Salford

Residents have left floral tributes at the scene in Salford, where the body of a baby was discovered.

A police investigation was launched after a woman discovered the body while walking her dog.

The woman, who has not been identified, was walking her dog near Ashtons Field, Salford, at around 12.30pm on Wednesday 20 November when she found the body. Police have named the child Baby A.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it is too early to tell the baby’s ethnicity, gender and where they were from.

Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood spoke to the media at the scene

The force is following several lines of inquiry to understand how long the infant was in the field its cause of death.

Chief Supt Neil Blackwood, Greater Manchester Police’s district commander for Salford, said: "Tragically, today, we have found what we believe to be the remains of a young baby on Ravenscraig Road, near Ashtons Field in Little Hulton.

"We have a scene in place, and you will likely see an increased presence of officers in the local area while we carry out enquiries to understand the circumstances.

"At this stage, we are following several lines of enquiry, and we are working with local partner agencies to understand who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died."

Officers were called to Ashton's field following the discovery of baby remains. Credit: MEN Media

Chief Supt Blackwood continued: "All of this is extremely sensitive, and this investigation needs to be handled with the utmost care it deserves, and it is going to take time.

"We know that this news will devastate our communities, and while we do not have all the answers to these questions yet, I want to reassure residents that we will do all we can to find out what has happened here.

"The most important thing for us right now is to find answers for this baby and I would urge anyone who has any information at all to get in touch with us.

"Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.

"As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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