Oldham park incident: ‘Remains’ found by member of public as police lock down area
Police have confirmed the “remains” found in an Oldham park by a member of the public were a “human placenta” from a baby born in the last 24 hours. Officers were dispatched to Werneth Park on Frederick Street in Oldham at around 2.40pm after a member of public found an item, which was later discovered to be a human placenta. The park remains shut as police investigate.
The experts confirmed the remains are from a birth that happened in the last 24 hours, Manchester Evening News reports. Detective Inspector Andy Day of the Oldham district said: “Incidents of this nature are extremely rare but of course will cause concern, and we share that concern. I want to make it clear at this stage our investigation is not a criminal one, but one into the welfare of a mum and baby.
“Medical experts have advised us it is likely the birth has occurred in the last 24 hours, and it’s possible mum or baby are, or could be, in need of medical attention.
“We have several enquiries underway to try and identify who the placenta belongs to, including searching various UK databases and liaising with a number of partner agencies. I’m appealing to anyone who either knows the identity of mum or baby, or indeed mum herself, to come forward to us so we can ensure they are doing okay.
“I’d also appeal for anyone who has seen anything around the Werneth Park area over the last 24 hours they think might assist our enquiries to reach out. Officers will remain in the area for the coming hours and are there to listen to any concerns from the community.
“We appreciate the cooperation of those living locally, as we understand the impact of closing public spaces there to be enjoyed on a weekend.”
Greater Manchester Police have urged anyone with information to get in touch at the earliest opportunity. The force said in a statement: “A suspicious item found this afternoon (Friday 28 March 2025) at Werneth Park, Oldham has been confirmed to be a human placenta by medical professionals.
“We were called by a member of the public at around 2.40pm. Officers immediately deployed to the park and a scene was commenced, which remains in place, and will overnight whilst searches continue.
“There is no risk to the wider community, however the focus of our efforts is now on understanding the circumstances of how the placenta came to be in this location, and no-one has come to any harm.”
A man who lives close to the park said he saw some of the police cars and vans go into the park “with shovels.” He said: “There were loads of police cars and vans, they parked up and all went into the park, just now I saw some of them going in with shovels.”
He added: “I don’t know what to think of it. It’s messed up. Pretty shocking. You just hope it is animal remains. This is a park where you have the elderly going, kids, the last thing you want is human remains.”
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