A human placenta has been found at a park in Oldham.
Greater Manchester Police said it was working to establish the circumstances of the incident and ensure no one had been harmed.
The force said the discovery, in the town‘s Werneth Park, was being treated as a welfare investigation.
Officers believe the mother and baby involved could be in need of medical attention, with the birth having occurred in the last 24 hours.
Police are asking anyone with information to come forward after officers were called to the park by a member of the public on Friday at around 2.40pm.
The “suspicious item” at the scene was later confirmed to be a human placenta by medical professionals, the force said.
Police remain at the park while searches of the area continue.
A spokesperson for the force said there was no risk to the wider community.
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Detective Inspector Andy Day said: “Incidents of this nature are extremely rare but of course will cause concern, and we share that concern.
“I want to make it clear that at this stage our investigation is not a criminal one, but one into the welfare of a mum and baby.”
He added: “We have several enquiries underway to try and identify who the placenta belongs to, including searching various UK databases and liaising with a number of partner agencies.”
Police are also asking anyone who may know the identity of the mother or baby to get in touch.
