Police have sealed off Werneth Park in Oldham, Greater Manchester, following the discovery of a human placenta by a member of the public on Friday, March 28, 2025. The alarming find was reported to Greater Manchester Police at approximately 2:40 PM, prompting an immediate response from officers.
Upon arrival, police cordoned off all entrances to the park, placing police tape across the gates to prevent public access, as evidenced by eyewitness accounts of a substantial emergency services presence at the scene. The area remained closed for the duration of the investigation, which underscored the seriousness of the situation.
Detective Inspector Andy Day of Oldham CID stated that medical professionals confirmed the suspected remains as a human placenta, indicating that a birth had likely occurred within the last 24 hours. Consequently, police initiated an urgent appeal to locate the mother and newborn, expressing concern for their welfare. “I want to make it clear that at this stage our investigation is not a criminal one, but one into the welfare of a mum and baby,” Day stated. He further added, “Incidents of this nature are extremely rare but of course will cause concern, and we share that concern.”
As officers conducted extensive searches of the park throughout the day, they sourced information from various UK databases and liaised with partner agencies to identify the mother and baby. They appealed for anyone who had recently visited Werneth Park or who had relevant information to contact them. Local resident reports mentioned police officers entering the park with shovels, which heightened the community's apprehension over the situation.
In an update received later that evening, police confirmed that both the mother and baby had been located safe and well by 11 PM. The investigation concluded there were no untoward circumstances surrounding the incident, allowing for the reopening of the park. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police expressed gratitude to the public for their cooperation during the park's closure and aimed to ease any concerns sparked by the discovery.
The rapid developments in this case highlight the importance of community vigilance and prompt reporting of unusual finds. As the investigations transition from urgent searches to determining the circumstances surrounding the birth, authorities continue to encourage residents to remain vigilant and report anything unusual.
Source: Noah Wire Services