Portsmouth baby death: Three women, 39, 21, 20, are arrested on suspicion of conspiring to murder infant girl

Detectives said the three women, 39, 21 and 20, all from Portsmouth, were arrested this morning.

It comes after the newborn baby was found at the corner of Victoria Street and Old Commercial Road, in Buckland, at 6.18am on January 25.

All three women are in custody. Police said the women were arrested in the city.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Baker said: ‘We know that this case was upsetting for a lot of people within the community and we want to reassure you that our officers are trained to deal with sensitive investigations such as this, which can often be very complex, and will do what is needed to get the right outcome for all those involved.

‘While we know that many of you will have questions, we hope you will understand that we are not in a position to provide any further details while this investigation continues to progress. When we are in a position where we can update further, we will.

‘Our officers will be conducting enquiries in the city today, so if you have any concerns or information that could help, please speak to them.’

Within a month of the investigation starting 800 homes had been visited by police.

Five people wanted early on after being spotted on CCTV between 5am and 6.18am were ruled out as passers-by.

A post mortem was inconclusive.

National Crime Agency experts in geographical profiling were drafted in. This is a technique police use to try and narrow down where a person may live.

Flowers and soft toys were left near the spot where the child was found.

Officers had appealed to the child's mother asking her to seek help. No after-birth was found at the site.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting 44200030626, or visit mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC20E02-PO1

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