Detectives have launched an appeal in east London after a foetus was discovered at Tower Hamlets Cemetery.

They want to trace the women who they fear may need medical help and are urging her to contact them.

“We are concerned about the welfare of the mother,” a Met Police spokesman said. “We want her to contact us so she can receive the necessary medical treatment.”

The discovery of the foetus is currently being officially treated as “unexplained at this stage”, he added.

Police and an ambulance crew were called immediately to the cemetery park in Mile End, between Southern Grove and Hamlets Way off the Mile End Road.

Officers are appealing for the woman or anyone who knows her to contact the Missing Persons unit at Limehouse police station on 020-7275 4589, or mobile 07799-737473, or even Crimestoppers anonymously or 0800-555111.