Moving moment police officer lays card in the snow among flowers and teddies for baby found dead in Salford

Among flowers and teddy bears left by heartbroken locals, this was the touching moment Greater Manchester Police left its own tribute to Baby A. Little Hulton has been rocked by the tragic discovery of a baby's remains in Ashtons Field on Wednesday afternoon (November 20).

Police were called out to the scene by a dog walker at 12.30pm yesterday and have remained in the area ever since. A cordon is in place with forensics investigators continuing to gather evidence from the scene, as mystery still surrounds the identity of Baby A.

Residents living close to the field have been leaving flowers, tributes and soft toys since Wednesday night. Many have spoken to the Manchester Evening Newsabout their heartbreak for little Baby A.

READ MORE: Police scene as baby is found in Salford field and investigation enters second day - latest updates

Now, GMP has joined in by paying its respects. An officer placed a sympathy card for the infant at around 2pm today (Thursday), as a brief flurry of snow began to fall at the scene. The black card, decorated with flowers, says: "May you rest in peace."

Moments earlier, a national police wellbeing van had pulled up at the scene, to give officers additional support at the scene. Members of the community have told the M.E.N. of their shock at what has unfolded.

"I can’t wrap my head around it," one woman said. "We know the people who found the baby - it’s awful. I’ve got kids of my own - but you don’t need to be a mum for it to affect you. I walk through here every day. It could’ve been me [who found Baby A]. I’ve been looking through my cameras for information."

Another woman, who had previously lost two children, said: "I only live across the way, I didn’t sleep last night thinking about that poor baby. We need justice for that baby, and for the community to have closure… but we don’t know what happened. Whether the mum needs help, or whether it was a child. She is out there somewhere. It’s heartbreaking."

Officers have been urging anyone with information to come forward. Baby A's sex, ethnicity and the circumstances surrounding their death are yet to be confirmed, and a Home Office post mortem should help provide clues in the coming days.

Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood, GMP's district commander for Salford, told reporters on Wednesday evening: "At this stage, we are following several lines of enquiry, and we are working with local partner agencies to understand who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died. We are now calling this baby, Baby A.

"All of this is extremely sensitive, and this investigation needs to be handled with the utmost care it deserves, and it is going to take time. We know that this news will devastate our communities, and while we do not have all the answers to these questions yet, I want to reassure residents that we will do all we can to find out what has happened here.

"The most important thing for us right now is to find answers for this baby and I would urge anyone who has any information at all to get in touch with us. Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation.

"If you have seen anyone in the area over the past few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can. As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so. I encourage people to ring 101 and quote log 1319 or they can do so anonymously on Crimestoppers, which is 0800 555 111."