Body of newborn baby found in London canal

The body of a newborn baby has been found in the Grand Union Canal in north west London, police have said.

The Metropolitan Police said officers and paramedics were called to the site near Old Oak Lane at just before 1.20pm on Sunday (9 May).

The baby was pronounced dead at the scene.

A number of cordons are in place at the scene and an urgent investigation is now under way to establish the circumstances, the force said.

The Met has urged the baby’s mother to “seek medical assistance” by dialling 999.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 1:35pm today to Old Oak Lane, NW10, to reports of a body of an infant found in the canal.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene: an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic practitioner, a clinical team manager and two ambulance crews. We also dispatched our hazardous area response team.

“Sadly, an infant was confirmed to be deceased at the scene.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 3589/09.