The body of a newborn baby has been found in a bag outside a church in Notting Hill, west London.
Metropolitan Police are urgently appealing for the mother to come forward “for her own welfare”.
The force said police officers and the ambulance service were called to the end of Talbot Road, on Powis Gardens, at 12.46pm on Tuesday, March 25, but the baby was declared de@d at the scene.
The gender and exact age of the child have not yet been established.
Superintendent Owen Renowden called it an “extremely sad and shocking matter”.
He said: “This investigation is in the early stages and our immediate priority is to locate the baby’s mother, who we believe may have very recently given birth.
“If you are the baby’s mother and are reading this, please come forward to police or medical professionals.
“You must feel very frightened but please let us help – we are really worried about you and it is vitally important you get medical assistance and support. You can walk into any hospital, or a police station.”.