Police Concerned for Missing Mother and Newborn After Birth in East London Underpass

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Police are urgently appealing for information about a woman who gave birth in an east London underpass and has since gone missing. Authorities have expressed deep concern for the welfare of both the mother and her newborn.

According to the Metropolitan Police Service, the woman, who may be named Anne Marie, gave birth at approximately 8:00 a.m. British Summer Time (BST) on Wednesday near the Billet Road underpass in Walthamstow. Officers say she is thought to be in her 30s, has long blonde hair, and was last seen wearing a black dress with a heavy jumper. Reports indicate she had been sleeping rough in the area before the incident.

A passerby who witnessed the birth reportedly assisted the woman before two individuals arrived in a blue Ford Transit van and picked up both the mother and the infant around 4:00 p.m. that same day. Since then, there has been no confirmed contact or sighting of either the woman or the child.

Police Constable (PC) Dan Cooper of the Metropolitan Police stated, “Our top priority is to establish that the woman and her baby are safe and well and have access to any medical treatment they may need.” He emphasised that the mother is not under investigation, adding, “I would like to stress that the woman is not in any trouble; our only concern is the well-being of her and her newborn child.”

Law enforcement officials are conducting urgent inquiries, including reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, speaking with witnesses in the area, and checking with hospitals nearby. The public is encouraged to come forward with any relevant information that could assist in locating the pair.

Authorities continue to treat the case as a welfare concern rather than a criminal matter. Police have not released further details about the individuals in the van, but they hope public cooperation will help locate the mother and child.