POLICE last night said they believed they had found the mother of a baby girl whose body was discovered in a wheelie bin.

Appeals had been issued for the mum to come forward after the grim discovery was made by a resident going out to his bin on Monday afternoon.

The baby - who police have now revealed was stillborn - was found in a green waste bin in a communal waste collection area serving a block of six flats in Whitcliffe Grange in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Paramedics and police were called and hospital staff tried to revive the child, but she was pronounced dead.

At 8.20pm last night, North Yorkshire Police said officers investigating the case "believe they have identified the mother".

The Northern Echo:

She was said to be receiving medical treatment and care at an unspecified location.

The force did not reveal where and when the mother was found, whether she had made contact voluntarily or how old she was.

They would also not be drawn on whether the father of the child had been located or whether other outside agencies were involved in the investigation.

They did, however, say that the case was not concluded and enquiries remained ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. They also urged members of the public not to take to social media to pass comment on what had happened.

Speaking last night, Inspector Mark Gee, of Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We thank the local community and the media for their continued support and sensitivity regarding this tragic case.

“We ask residents to remain patient and calm while the police enquires continue. In particular, please avoid any unhelpful or harmful speculation on social networking sites.

“To provide further reassurance for residents, extra police patrols are being carried out in the local area."

Police had cordoned off an area of the estate where the baby's body had been found and residents were told not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and pass the details to the Force Control Room. Please quote reference number 12140207822.