Baby A death in Little Hulton: What we know so far

Police were called to Ravenscraig Road in Little Hulton at 12.30pm today, Wednesday, after a dog walker found the remains of a "young baby" near Ashtons Field [1]. Officers are not yet sure of the infant's identity, including its gender, ethnicity, or who its parents are. They are working to ascertain that information.

It is also not yet clear how long Baby A [2] has been there or how they died. A scene has been in place throughout today on Clegg's Lane [3], Little Hulton, near the motorway bridge over the M61. Multiple police officers and crime scene investigators have been on scene.

Forensics on scene (Image: Newsquest) Chief Superintendent and District Commander for Salford, Neil Blackwood, gave a press conference this evening. He 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 [4], 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. We are now calling this baby, Baby A. "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."

Police on scene (Image: Newsquest) Ch Supt Blackwood added: "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." Officers urge anyone with information to contact them on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24.

Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111. Ch Supt Neil Blackwood speaking at the scene (Image: Newsquest) Ch Supt Blackwood added: "At 12.30pm this afternoon a member of the public was out walking their dog and found the remains." A Home Office post mortem is yet to take place, so no details of ethnicity or sex of the baby have been revealed.

The tragic discovery has shocked the community. Nearby workers were visibly shocked after hearing the news. One said: "This is terrible, it is just unbelievable."

Another said: "This is so sad, who could do something like this."

References

^ found the remains of a "young baby" near Ashtons Field (www.theboltonnews.co.uk)
^ Baby A (www.theboltonnews.co.uk)
^ Clegg's Lane (www.theboltonnews.co.uk)
^ stage (www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk)
^