A sad case of infant abandonment came to light in east London today when a newborn baby girl was found wrapped in a towel in a shopping bag in east London, as the police announced.

The baby was found by a passer-by in Newham who kept him warm until paramedics arrived.

The Metropolitan Police said the baby is safe and sound and has been taken to hospital.

He also appealed to the baby’s mother to get in touch saying “know your daughter is fine, no matter what circumstances you are going through, please call 999 for help”.

Police were called at around 9.15pm local time on Thursday when a man who had been walking his dog found the baby, whose reaction was life-saving for the baby who kept him warm as the temperature was -6C yesterday in the evening in London and “helped save the baby’s life”.

The police head of the investigation said “our thoughts now turn to the baby’s mother; we are extremely concerned for her condition as she will have been through a traumatic ordeal and will need immediate medical attention after the birth.”

“Trained doctors and specialist officers are on hand to support her and we urge her to phone or go to the nearest hospital or police station.”

Police are appealing for anyone who may know the mother to contact them.