POLICE investigating the discovery of a bloodstained babygrow near a Highland housing estate have checked on the welfare of all local infants aged up to three months.
An inquiry was launched after the Next brand sleep suit was found near the Plantation Path in the Heathercroft area of Fort William.
The officer leading the probe said yesterday that someone must be missing the tiny garment and it was “crucial” officers established who that was.
Police confirmed earlier this week that the blood was human and yesterday they issued a photograph of the pattern on the white cotton babygrow. It features cartoon images of native Americans, trees and totem poles in a variety of colours.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Richard Baird said: “I am appealing to the people of Fort William to assist us with this investigation.
“Someone is missing this item and it’s crucial that we find out who so we can be sure that everyone is safe. If anyone has information about this type of babygrow or how the bloodstained item came to be on the pathway, I would urge them to report this to us.”
The police also revealed that the sleep suit had been left on the “Planny Path” between the Plantation and Upper Achintore areas of the Lochaber town some time between 8am-10.30pm on Monday .
It was found by a member of the public at 8.15am on Tuesday.
Det Insp Baird added: “There are a number of possible explanations as to how the babygrow came to be found with blood on it and we remain open-minded about this.
“Our primary role is in keeping people safe and our immediate inquiry focused on the wellbeing of all infants aged up to three months known to be living in the Fort William area.
“Having achieved this, through the assistance of our partners in health services and social work, we are now following a number of other lines of inquiry in relation to this garment.” He confirmed that the public’s help would be of the “utmost importance” and renewed the police appeal for help in trying to unravel the mystery.
Det Insp Bair said the babygrow was a Next product for the 0-1 month age group and was available in 2010 for online and catalogue purchase as part of a pack of three assorted babygrows. It has not been available for sale from Next since 2010. People living near the spot where the blood-stained sleep suit was found yesterday described the situation as “bizarre and disturbing”.
Sandra Verhoeven, 40, who lives nearby at Iona Court in Heathercroft Drive, said yesterday: “People here are concerned and want to know what happened, especially people with young children. It’s bizarre and disturbing that we have no idea how it got there.
“It could be that someone had a fight, then picked it up to wipe the blood away but, if that had happened, surely they would have come forward by now.
“I also find it disturbing that it was found on the Planny Path because, although a lot of people use it, it’s still pretty remote. It would make more sense if it had been found close to houses.”
Another local resident said she was horrified to hear that the blood was human.
She said: “That is so horrible. It’s really worrying that we don’t know what’s happened.
“I just hope it’s not what it seems. You can’t help but imagine the worst.”
Police have urged anyone with information to contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.