Police have confirmed that a mum and baby have been found after Greater Manchester Police cordoned off the park following reports of a human placenta from a birth in the last 24 hours
Police have confirmed a mum and baby have been found after a placenta was discovered in a park in Greater Manchester on Friday (March 28).
The human remains found in a park in Oldham have been confirmed as a placenta from a birth that took place in the last 24 hours. Police were called to Werneth Park on Frederick Street in Oldham at around 2:40pm today after a member of public found a “suspicious item”.
Officers taped the scene off from the public and the whole park was shut. One local said he saw police cars and vans go into the park and some officers attend “with shovels”.
Medical experts have confirmed a human placenta from a recent birth was found in the park. Detective Inspector Andy Day of the Oldham district said: “Incidents of this nature are extremely rare but of course will cause concern, and we share that concern.
“I want to make it clear at this stage our investigation is not a criminal one, but one into the welfare of a mum and baby. Medical experts have advised us it is likely the birth has occurred in the last 24 hours, and it’s possible mum or baby are, or could be, in need of medical attention.
“We have several enquiries underway to try and identify who the placenta belongs to, including searching various UK databases and liaising with a number of partner agencies.
“I’m appealing to anyone who either knows the identity of mum or baby, or indeed mum herself, to come forward to us so we can ensure they are doing okay.
“I’d also appeal for anyone who has seen anything around the Werneth Park area over the last 24 hours they think might assist our enquiries to reach out. Officers will remain in the area for the coming hours and are there to listen to any concerns from the community.
“We appreciate the cooperation of those living locally, as we understand the impact of closing public spaces there to be enjoyed on a weekend.”
Greater Manchester Police urged anyone with information to come forward. The force said in a statement: “At around 2.40pm today (Friday 28 March 2025), we were called to reports of a suspicion item being found by a member of the public in Werneth Park on Frederick Street in Oldham. Officers remain at the scene and investigations are ongoing.
“This is an isolated incident and there is no threat or risk to the local community .It is believed that the item which has been found are remains from a human or an animal.
“At this early stage in the investigation we cannot confirm who the remains belong to.”
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