Newborn Baby Girl Dumped On Doorstep

A newborn girl has been found abandoned in a holdall on a doorstep in Reading.

Police said a note written in Polish was left with the baby, who was found on London Road on Thursday.

The girl, who is thought to be between two and three weeks old, is being cared for by medical staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Thames Valley Police said they are concerned for the mother, who could need medical help.

"Early indications are that the baby appears unharmed, with no immediate evidence of any injuries or trauma," superintendent Stuart Greenfield said.

"Our main concern now is for the welfare of her mother, who may need medical assistance," he added.

Police - who said the baby was left opposite the area's Polish centre after 7.30pm - are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

"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," Supt Greenfield said.

"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."

Police are asking anyone with information to call Detective Inspector Mark Tucker at Thames Valley Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Meanwhile, police have confirmed that a baby boy found dead at a recycling plant in Scunthorpe on Wednesday was a newborn.

Humberside Police said a post-mortem examination confirmed the child was not six-months-old, as previously thought.

The cause of his death is yet to be established and further tests will be carried out, officers said.