The Metropolitan Police Department has urged the public to refrain from making “unnecessary and unhelpful” comments about a newborn baby who was found alive in a shopping bag last week.
In its latest request for information, the force said those commenting had no idea what the baby's mother was going through and described the two people it wanted to speak to.
The newborn baby girl, whom hospital staff named Elsa after the Frozen character, was found wrapped in a blanket in Newham, east London, last Friday. Officers said they believe Elsa was born after a hidden pregnancy.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has identified two people it would like to speak to. Newham Police Chief Constable Simon Crick said: “Baby Elsa is safe and well. You may have seen recent reports that she has been released from hospital.
“My team continues to work. We have collected a significant amount of CCTV footage. We are still investigating this in detail, but we have identified the woman who would like to speak and any witnesses who may have seen her. I have identified it.
“We believe the woman was black, wearing a large black coat with a light colored scarf or hood around her neck, and was carrying a rucksack. We believe they entered the Greenway and exited the Greenway in the direction of Fabian Street.
“We are also working diligently to identify any witnesses who may have seen the woman near the Greenway. She is believed to be male, wearing a dark-colored hooded coat and carrying a backpack. The backs of his coats and backpacks have reflective strips. He exited the greenway to the left around 9:10 p.m.
“If you have any information about these people, or if you think I may be referring to you, please contact me immediately. It turns out you have nothing to do with it.” Maybe, but knowing that would be very helpful to us and allow us to focus our efforts on other means instead.
“I would like to once again appeal directly to baby Elsa's mother. Your daughter is safe and well, but we need to make sure you are safe too. She may require urgent treatment and support. Yes, we can help. Call 999 for advice or go to hospital.
“Finally, I would like to say that while the comments online have generally been incredibly kind, supportive and understanding, there have been a small number of abusive and negative comments that are unnecessary and unhelpful. They are all looking at this from a position of privilege in that they have no idea what baby Elsa's mother is going through.”
Anyone who believes they know the identity of the child's mother is asked to call 999 quoting reference number CAD 6876/18 Jan.