04 May 2012

Baby Abandoned In Holdall

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a baby girl was found abandoned in London Road, Reading, yesterday evening.

The Force received a call at 8.59pm, reporting that a baby had been found in a holdall bag on a doorstep opposite the Polish centre. Officers are currently making enquiries to confirm the exact location.

A note written in Polish was left with the baby.

The baby, who is believed to be between two and three weeks old, is currently being cared for by medical staff at Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Supt Stuart Greenfield, commander of Reading, said: “Early indications are that the baby appears unharmed, with no immediate evidence of any injuries or trauma. Our main concern now is for the welfare of her mother, who may need medical assistance.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who saw anything at the time, or may have any information, no matter how small, which could assist in identifying who left the baby. We believe that she was left on the doorstep between 7.30pm and 9pm.

"Although we cannot say for certain that one or both of her parents are Polish, the fact that the note was written in Polish leads us to think that this may be the case. Therefore, we would be particularly keen to hear from anyone within the Polish community in Reading who may have any information relating to the baby or her mother."

(CD)