Wigan man arrested for attempted murder after newborn baby found abandoned in hospital toilets

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a newborn baby was found abandoned in the toilets of a hospital in Wigan.

Police were called shortly after 12am on Wednesday (6 July) to the Royal Albert Infirmary after hospital security staff found the baby boy in the toilets of A&E.

The infant had to be resuscitated by medical staff and is said by officers to be recovering well.

A 31-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of murder. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information on the incident to come forward.

Detective Inspector Martin Reddington, from GMP's Wigan borough, said: "This is an awful situation, I am just so happy I am able to say that the baby boy is doing well.

"We have made an arrest and we will be thoroughly investigating how this happened.

"We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the A&E department between 7pm and midnight and perhaps saw a man and a woman in and around the toilets or saw anything unusual to get in touch with police as soon as possible. I would like to take this opportunity to praise the staff at the Royal Albert Infirmary, without doubt their heroic actions saved the life of this new born baby."

The hospital's A&E department, which was forced to close overnight, has now reopened.

Andrew Foster, Chief Executive of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Albert Infirmary, said: " I would like to thank all staff who were involved for their professionalism and calmness during the incident, particularly the diligent member of staff who discovered the baby and raised the alarm. I'm very proud of the way our staff worked, their quick response without doubt saved the baby's life."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 7124, 101 or via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.