Police are today (Fri) investigating after a baby’s body was found by a plumber as he inspected a blockage in a garden drain.
The discovery was made in the grounds of a house in Grimsby, North East Lincs., just shortly before 1pm yesterday (THURS).
Police were called to the house at around 12.50pm, and officers taped off the front and rear access to the house.
Scenes of crime officers carried out investigations in the back garden ofthe property and inside the house, as ofiicers remained on guard.
Crime scene investigators and a detective were at the house for several hours while rapid response ambulance crews and paramedics were also called to the scene.
Speaking at the scene, Detective Inspector Christine Calvert, of Humberside Police, said that the owners ofthe house had contacted police after the plumber made the shocking discovery.
She said: “The owners are in extreme shock. They are helping with enquiries as much as they can.”
The age ofthe body has not been released by Humberside Police but it is understood that tests are being carried out and a post mortem will be carried out on Monday. The death is being treated as unexplained.
Police have appealed forthe mother of – the baby to come forward and any members of the public with information to contact them on 101.
As detectives carried out house-to- house enquiries last night, one neighbour said: ”It is so very sad. We have been spoken to by police. It is the early stages in the police investigation, but we are sad it has happened. They said they do not know how old it is.”
Stuart Jaffrey lives just a few houses away from the scene and says that the “nasty news” is uncommon in the usually placid neighbourhood.
He said: ”It’s really awful news. To hear that a baby’s body has been found is shocking. It’s the first time that I’ve ever heard of anything like that before around here. It really is a shock for this road.
“I just can’t believe it really. It’s not nice to think about because that was obviously someone’s baby.
”I’m sure that everyone on the street will bejust as shocked.”
Fellow resident Nigel Grocott, who lives at the opposite end of the street, added: “It’s a big surprise because that’s something that you don’t expect to hear.
“There’s never any trouble down here and it is a nice neighbourhood.
“I’ve lived here for 15 years and I’ve never heard of anything like this.”
Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ”I’m absolutely gobsmacked and have absolutely no idea what to say.
“It’s just awful, terrible news. I can’t believe that it’s happened, especially on a road like this.”
One onlooker said: ”It’s always a shock to see police on your doorstep, especially for something as serious as this.
“Nobody likes to hear about people dying, especially when it’s a young child. It makes me really sad to think about it.”
Another anonymous resident added: ”I started getting curious when I sawthe police in the white suits, that tends to mean that it’s something serious. But I never expected it to be something like that.
“It’s the worst possible news. I have children and I couldn’t imagine losing one of my babies if that’s what has happened.”
A Humberside Police spokeswoman added: “An investigation is in its early stages as police work to establish the circumstances ofthe incident at this time.”
