Woman, in her 30s, is arrested after physique of new child child boy present in M&S bag outdoors church in Notting Hill

A woman has been arrested after the body of a newborn baby was discovered outside a church last week.

Officers from the Met Police were called at 12:46pm last Tuesday to All Saints Church on Talbot Road in the Notting Hill area after the baby boy’s body was found.

Following an appeal by officers, on Saturday a woman in her 30s, was arrested on suspicion of concealing a birth, neglect and infanticide. 

The woman, who has not been named for legal reasons, immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, where she still remains today. 

A forensic post-mortem will take place later this week, to understand more about the child’s death. 

Superintendent Owen Renowden, who leads policing for Kensington and Chelsea said: ‘This is an ongoing, fast-paced investigation, with officers working tirelessly to ascertain the circumstances of the baby boy’s death.

‘We believe that the woman is the baby’s mother and I am reassured that she is receiving the support she needs, while officers continue their work to understand what took place.

A police tent close to where the body of a newborn baby was found today. Police are now urgently appealing for the mother to come forward for her own welfare 

Officers from the Met Police were called at 12:46pm today to All Saints Church on Talbot Road in the Notting Hill area after the baby’s body was found

A Metropolitan Police Officer close to the church where a dead newborn baby was found 

‘I recognise that the news of this arrest may cause concern among our community, but when dealing with investigations of this nature our priority is to ensure the welfare of all involved and ensure that all lines of enquiry are fully explored.

‘I appreciate the high level of attention that this investigation has received, but we politely ask for the public not to speculate.

‘Although this is a significant development, we are still appealing for anyone with any information to contact police on 101 or at @MetCC quoting CAD1879 of 26 March.’

Last week one local resident, who had been attending All Saints’ Church for the last six years, said it was ‘incredibly tragic’.