THE mother of a baby girl found dead in a Cambridgeshire waste plant could be at serious physical and emotional risk, say South Worcestershire Police and health experts.

Officers are working on the theory that the body found in Peterborough yesterday may have come from the Worcester area.

Elaine Newell, Head of Midwifery for the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I would like to appeal directly to the mother of this baby - or to anyone who may know the identity or whereabouts of this mother.

“I am very concerned about your well-being and my immediate priority is to ensure that you receive any necessary midwifery and medical care.

“I appreciate that you must be feeling very confused, upset and afraid. Please be assured that I want to make sure you are safe and well.

“If you would like to speak to me directly you can contact me personally on 07775 800300 and I will talk to you and arrange for you to receive any necessary care.”

Det. Insp. Adrian Todd, who is leading the enquiry, said: “The investigation so far points towards the baby originating from in or around Worcester, although we cannot be absolutely certain at this stage.

“A post-mortem examination yesterday did not verify the cause of death and further tests are being carried out.

“We are already exploring a wide range of possibilities and believe that the community can play a key role in helping to identify the mother who could well be in difficulties and in dire need of medical attention.

“We are, therefore, asking anyone who believes that they may have any information - no matter how unimportant they may believe it to be - to contact us immediately.

“We believe that one of more members of the community may be able to come forward with information helpful to the enquiry. They may recall noticing a female behaving strangely in the neighbourhood, or at work, or being absent for a time.

“We appeal to anyone who believes they are in possession of information not to assume that someone else come forward. We would rather receive something twice than not at all.”

Det. Insp. Todd said the mother could well have given birth without anyone knowing or realising that she was pregnant. Alternatively, she may have been poorly advised by family, friends or her partner.

“Whatever the circumstances, we appeal for her to come forward as she could be further endangering her welfare if she has not received the correct medical attention," he said.

“Because of what has happened, she may be under stress - mentally and emotionally - so it is doubly important that we trace her as soon as possible.”

Officers are working on the theory that the baby’s body reached the Peterborough site via a waste sorting plant in Bromsgrove, having been collected from waste bins in Worcester.

“Just because the body was taken in a collection from Worcester does not necessarily mean it originated from the city, so we are keeping an open mind as to where it was born and where it was placed in the waste system,” added Det. Insp. Todd.

Anyone with information is asked to immediately call South Worcestershire Police on 08457 444 888, quoting 289S/280808.

Information can also be given - anonymously and free-of-charge - to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.