New information in Southampton placenta discovery mystery

A path off Dale Road in Southampton was cordoned off by police after the discovery

The mother of a baby whose placenta was found on a path is believed to have a west African background, police have revealed.

The placenta was found near the Spire and General hospitals, off Dale Road in Southampton, on 21 June.

There are concerns as both the mother and baby are yet to be found.

Hampshire Constabulary described the case as a "significant mystery" but said knowing the ethnicity of the woman opened a new line of inquiry.

Speaking exclusively to BBC South, Ch Insp Marcus Kennedy said the force had begun talks with the African community in Southampton.

"It's really about identifying the mother and the potential child. And what's key is that we have a potential community that might know this individual," he said.

The woman is thought to have given birth between 17 and 21 June.

Ch Insp Kennedy said the pregnancy was "advanced enough" to know there was "a potential child out there who needs our support and more care".

Two women were previously arrested in the case and subsequently released facing "no further action".

In September, police said officers were considering the possibility a criminal offence had been committed and believed they were investigating the unlawful concealment of the birth of a child.

Ch Insp Kennedy said all options remained open, but the priority was to ensure the mother and her baby were safe and well.

"If something criminal comes at the back of that, then yes we will be obliged to look at that," he added.

Ch Insp Marcus Kennedy is urging anyone with information to contact the police

The officer explained the event was "a very unusual occurrence" in the Hampshire Constabulary area and something police had not seen in the city before.

"There may be some cultural challenges around this that we just don't know yet. But the key thing is locating those two, the mother and child, and then we can learn from them," he added.

"I think anything else at this time would just be a conjecture."

"We'd like to think that hopefully this is just a cultural element and therefore mother and child are doing well and just have chosen not to engage with supportive services," he said.

"This is a mystery... but we have a strong line of inquiry."

The placenta was discovered by two members of the public and reported to police - tests later confirmed it was human.

It prompted urgent pleas from police, as well as midwives at Princess Anne Hospital, for the new mother to come forward and seek help.

Victoria Ugwoeme said the placenta is "cherished" in west African cultures

City councillor Victoria Ugwoeme, originally from Nigeria and project leader for Southampton's African Association, acknowledged it was a "very sensitive matter".

She said: "Placenta is something we cherish, we respect for the role it played in the growing of the baby in the mother's womb.

"So when the placenta comes out it has to be buried with respect.

"But this placenta was not buried - it was just left on the pathway - and this is why we are concerned."

In October, the Crimestoppers charity offered a £5,000 reward for exclusive information.

People have also been urged to contact police if they can help.