
Fresh appeal for mum of baby found in Kirkham stream in 2011
Police have renewed an appeal "to solve the mystery" of a baby boy whose body was found in a stream.The boy, who was thought to be no more than a few weeks old, was found in Spen Brook, off Carr Lane, Kirkham, in 2011.Lancashire Police Det Ch Insp Bryony Midgley said while the baby's father was traced last year through DNA, and he helped with the investigation, the mother has still not been identified.The case is being reinvestigated by the Lancashire Police major crime cold case review team set up 18 months ago.
Detectives believe the baby was no more than a month old and had been born at full-term.It is thought his body had been in the water for no more than five days when he was discovered by a dog walker.A union jack towel, a green towel with a "Renaissance" label and a discoloured fleece which was originally blue and white were found near the body.Det Ch Insp Midgley said: "I am renewing our appeal for information in the hope we can solve the mystery of the tragic death of a newborn baby boy more than 13 years ago."This is such a sad case and it had a huge impact on the community in Kirkham."We have never been able to give him an identify or find out why he came to be in this brook."She added: "We have made progress as the baby boy's dad has now been traced thanks to advances in DNA technology." Det Insp Midgley said the boy's father lived in Blackpool.
Det Insp Midgley urged anyone who has information on who the baby's mother was to come forward. "You might not have wanted to come forward back then, but with the passage of time it will feel right to do so now," she said.A funeral service was held in 2012 at St Michael's Church, Kirkham, paid for by donations from local residents and businesses.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
40 minutes ago
- The Sun
Austria shooting LIVE: Terrified pupils flee ‘bullied' ex-student, 21, armed with shotgun in massacre that left 10 dead
AT LEAST 10 young people have been killed after a "bullied" former student opened fire in a school in Austria. Terrifying footage shows pupils fleeing the 21-year-old male shooter as he went on the deadly rampage before turning the gun on himself. 6 6 6 6 The victims include six girls and three boys, local police officers confirmed. They are all children and teenagers, they added. Another 12 are seriously injured and in hospital receiving treatment, with up to 30 said to be wounded in total. Horrifying video shows pupils hiding in a classroom as gunshots ring out nearby. Others clips show students running for their lives as heavily armed cops make their way inside the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school. A massive police operation in Graz was launched shortly after 10am this morning when the first gunshot was heard. Troops from the Austrian special forces were seen storming the institution in the country's second biggest city. The Austrian government has now declared a three-day mourning period. The gunman was an ex-pupil who didn't graduate and is said to have been a victim of bullying during his time at the school, reports say. He is said to have been carrying two legally owned weapons - a Glock pistol and a shotgun at the time. The lone shooter was found dead in a bathroom after turning the gun on himself, the Austrian interior minister confirmed. He was not known to police, and a motive is yet to be confirmed. In total, over 300 police officers were deployed to secure the school grounds. Authorities issued a disaster alert to local hospitals, and wounded students are being taken to a nearby concert stadium. Today, 13:29 By Sayan Bose 'This horror cannot be put into words' says Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen said Austria was mourning today and called the shooting a "horror" that "cannot be put into words". He added: "What happened today in a school in Graz strikes at the heart of our country. "These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. "A teacher who accompanied them on their journey." Today, 13:26 By Sayan Bose Emergency services continue working at the scene Today, 13:12 By Sayan Bose Shooter was 'bullied' in school Local media reports say the ex-pupil was a victim of bullying during his time at the school. Today, 12:49 By Sayan Bose Austria's population among the most heavily armed in Europe Austria has one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe, with an estimated 30 firearms per 100 persons, according to the Small Arms Survey, an independent research project. Machine guns and pump action guns are banned, while revolvers, pistols and semi-automatic weapons are allowed only with official authorization. Rifles and shotguns are permitted with a firearms license or a valid hunting licence, or for members of traditional shooting clubs. Today, 12:47 By Sayan Bose Graz school shooting 'unbearable', says Austria's minister Austria's Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger wrote on X: "It's incomprehensible and unbearable. "My sympathy and grief go out to the victims and their families. No one can imagine the suffering; as a mother of three children, it breaks my heart." Today, 12:45 By Sayan Bose Cops say area has been secured A local police spokesman said the area had been secured, the school had been evacuated and relatives of the victims and pupils were being cared for. "There is no further danger for the population, but there are several dead," he told Austrian television. Today, 12:16 By Sayan Bose Austrian chancellor calls Graz school shooting 'national tragedy' Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said a shooting at a school in the city of Graz was a "national tragedy" in a statement on Tuesday and offered his condolences to the families who have lost their children. "The rampage at a school in Graz is a national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country," Stocker said. "There are no words for the pain and grief that we all - all of Austria - are feeling right now," he added. Today, 12:00 By Sayan Bose In pictures: emergency services at the scene Today, 11:39 By Sayan Bose Death toll rises to 10 At least 10 people are now believed to be dead after the shooting rampage in the Austrian school. Graz Mayor Elke Kahr confirmed the suspected shooter was among those killed. Another 28 people have been severely injured, with four currently in extremely critical condition. Today, 11:20 By Sayan Bose Austrian Interior Minister en route to the school Interior Minister Gerhard Karne is said to be on his way to the school in Graz, according to local media outlets. Today, 11:15 By Sayan Bose 28 people injured in shooting spree At least 28 people have reportedly been injured in the school shooting, Austrian local media reports. Kronen Zeitung newspaper said four of them are extremely critical and are being treated in hospitals. Today, 11:09 By Sayan Bose Special task force units deployed Police spokesperson Sabri Yorgun said special forces were among those sent to the high school after a call at 10am. This includes the special tactical unit Cobra, which handles attacks and hostage situations. Today, 11:05 By Sayan Bose Death toll rises to 9 At least nine people are now believed to be dead after the shooting rampage in the Austrian school. Graz Mayor Elke Kahr confirmed the suspected shooter was among those killed. Today, 11:01 By Sayan Bose Where did the shooting happen? Austrian cops said the shooting took place at BORG Dreierschützengasse, a high school in Graz.


Telegraph
44 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Police Federation pays £15m to officers hit by cyber attack
The Police Federation has paid out £15 million to 19,000 current and former officers who had their personal details compromised and stolen by cyber criminals. Two huge attacks exposed the home addresses of some officers to hackers six years ago, and in March 2022 the federation admitted liability for unlawfully processing officers' personal details by not having proper protection in place. The attacks sparked panic among rank and file officers who feared their safety had been compromised. The federation has admitted that two recently settled group actions 'have had an enormous impact on the finances and assets of the PFEW (Police Federation of England and Wales) and the organisation could not withstand a further claim of this nature'. Hackers accessed Police Federation systems and encrypted several of its databases during the attacks, making them inaccessible. Now the organisation, which represents 145,000 rank and file officers, has agreed to settle the claim for £15 million, inclusive of legal and insurance costs. It had been claimed that the names, email addresses, National Insurance numbers and ranks of around 120,000 police officers had been exposed. A source said: 'This is a huge settlement. It caused huge concern among rank and file police officers up and down the country.' 'Agreed a settlement' The settlement had been revealed by Monckton Chambers, the law firm. Mukund Krishna, the chief executive officer of the Police Federation, said it was his priority to resolve the two historic action claims that 'hung over the organisation' when he became CEO in July 2023. He added: 'At the end of last year, we agreed a settlement following the employment tribunal ruling against us regarding pension discrimination. 'I am now pleased to say that we have settled the data protection claims brought against PFEW by just under 20,000 members and former members. This claim followed two separate cyber attacks suffered by the federation over six years ago. 'The federation has taken the pragmatic view that settlement of the litigation is in the best interests of both the federation and its members. 'The negotiation of these settlements has required a huge amount of detailed work but will, collectively, provide the federation with much greater financial certainty going forward. This outcome will also allow PFEW to move on and focus all our efforts on transforming the organisation and serving the membership.' A total of £15 million will be paid in stages, which covers all 19,159 claims for damages but also includes legal costs, expenses and the costs of insurance cover.


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Heartbroken family of 'murdered' mother-of-three, 32, pay tribute as two more men are arrested and police find gold suitcase
The heartbroken family of a mother-of-three have spoken of their 'unimaginable' loss after two more men have been arrested as part of a murder investigation. Samantha Murphy, 32, was found at a house in Portsmouth on Thursday, June 5, at around at 7.37am with police treating her death as murder. A total of four men have been arrested in connection with her death as police continue to investigate. After finding her body, police appealed for help to locate a gold suitcase which they said they were 'keen to locate' and 'may assist with the investigation'. It has now been confirmed by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary that the suitcase has been found. A 30-year-old man from Southsea has been arrested on suspicion of murder and a 41-year-old man from Portsmouth has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Two other men, a 32-year-old from Petersfield and a 32-year-old from Havant, who were previously arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on conditional bail until September 5. In a tribute released through Hampshire Constabulary, Ms Murphy's family described her as a 'bright, smiling soul' who 'radiated joy to everyone she met'. The tribute, made by Ms Murphy's sister on behalf of her family and friends, read: 'She was a devoted mother to her three beautiful children, the bubbly baby sister who brought laughter and light to her siblings, and the fun-loving auntie who adored her nieces and nephews. 'Sam was the friend everyone went to for advice and a compassionate ear. 'Our gracious host at Halloween and Christmas, Sam's home was always filled with warmth and cheer. 'She was strong-willed and determined, yet her kindness shone through, always quick to see the good in everyone.' Her family said she 'loved her music and dancing' and that she was the 'life and soul of every party'. The tribute continued: 'Her singing voice, especially when she belted out her version of Amy Winehouse's Back To Black, never failed to draw admiration and applause. 'That mischievous and cheeky spirit she had as the youngest sister never faded; it was part of her charm, alongside her quirky little laugh, which continued to delight us into adulthood. 'Her loss has left an immense void. 'For her mother, it's not just the loss of a daughter, but of a best friend and constant companion. 'Her brother and sisters, whose bond with Sam was so rare and special, are utterly devastated by this unimaginable absence. 'We take comfort in knowing Sam would want her family and friends to pull together, ensuring her children are always protected and surrounded with the love she so generously gave. 'Love from your mum Denise, your three beautiful children, older sisters Louise, Jodie and Kelly, big brother Carl and brother-in-law Ollie, your wonderful friends Marissa, Emma and Charlene, and from your dad Phillip.' Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Jody Beresford said: 'We understand that this incident is both shocking and devastating to all those who knew Samantha, and we are working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances. 'We would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding whilst we have been carrying out inquiries in the area. 'As part of our inquiries, we appealed for help in locating a gold suitcase. 'We can confirm this has now been found and we would like to thank everyone who contacted us with information.'