A MAJOR police investigation was launched yesterday after a baby’s bloodstained sleep suit was found near a Highland housing estate.
The newborn infant-size babygrow was discovered on a path near homes in a hilltop residential area in Lochaber.
Part of the neighbourhood in Fort William, known as the Plantation, was cordoned off with police tape yesterday.
Officers armed with long sticks probed the undergrowth near the housing estate while others carried out door-to-door inquiries.
People living in the Heathercroft area of Fort William, close to where the clothing was found, said police officers had told them the babygrow had blood on it.
The force declined to comment on the claims last night.
A section of Heathercroft Drive was sealed off, along with an area of rough ground next to the road, and a police officer was stopping anyone who passed.
Four officers with sticks searched the grass and gorse surrounding the Plantation Path where the sleep suit was found.
A police photographer was at the scene, while officers interviewed residents at the nearby Mull Court block of flats.
A police spokeswoman said: “Police are carrying out inquiries into the recovery of a Next brand babygrow on the Plantation Path at Fort William. The babygrow is size 0-1 months and white with a pattern of totem poles, native American-Indian boys, trees and clouds.”
She said officers were keen to hear from anyone who was in the area around the time of the discovery.
She would not say whether there had been any blood on the sleep suit and declined to provide further information.
One local woman who was walking in the area yesterday said she had heard about the police activity and gone to see what was happening.
She said: “I heard that someone had found a blood-drenched babygrow up here.”
The woman added: “It’s just horrible to think what might have happened. It doesn’t bear thinking about.”
Another local said: “The police are saying they have found a bloodstained babygrow and asking if anyone had seen anything.”
A Mull Court resident said police had called at her door to ask if she had seen anything. She said: “They asked if I had seen any baby clothes, but I couldn’t help them.”
The babygrow was found shortly after 8am on Tuesday.
Police have urged anyone with information to contact them on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.