Mother missing after giving birth in underpass

The woman gave birth in the Billet Road underpass

Police say they are "extremely concerned" for the welfare of a mother who gave birth before going missing in east London.

Officers received reports that the woman, who is believed to be called Anne Marie and was sleeping rough, gave birth at the Billet Road underpass in Walthamstow at about 08:00 BST on Wednesday.

A witness helped the woman - aged in her 30s with long blonde hair and wearing a black dress and heavy jumper - with the birth before the mother and newborn were picked up by two people in a blue Transit van at about 16:00.

PC Dan Cooper said: "Our top priority is to establish that the woman and her baby are safe and well and have access to any medical treatment they may need."

He added: "I would like to stress that the woman is not in any trouble, our only concern is the wellbeing of her and her newborn child.

"We are carrying out fast-paced inquiries, including trawling CCTV, speaking to people in the area and visiting nearby hospitals."