Baby's body discovered in garden
The body of a newborn baby has been discovered in a garden, police have said.
Wrapped in a shawl, the body was found by a woman near her front doorstep in Tinline Street, Bury, Greater Manchester, at around 11am on Monday.
Emergency services were called but the child, thought to be up to a week old, was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
Detectives are now appealing for information to track down the baby's mother over concerns for her welfare. They have not revealed whether the baby was a boy or a girl.
A cause of death has not yet been established and a post-mortem examination and further tests on the body are being carried out but there were no obvious signs of injury.
One theory police are examining is that the child was stillborn, perhaps to a mother who fell pregnant and could not tell anyone.
Police are now carrying out door-to-door inquiries and a tent has been set up while forensic officers examine the spot where the baby was found.
Detective Superintendent Sam Haworth of Greater Manchester Police's major incident team said: "There are obvious health concerns with the mother and we want to make sure she is safe.
"We are checking CCTV in the area to try and find out who left the baby but I would ask people to think carefully about your friends and family.
"If you know of any women or girls who were pregnant and due to give birth in the last week and had been acting strangely, or if the news of the baby being found dead is seriously affecting someone you know, then please call us."
