Could Hollybrook Cemetery search be linked to human placenta?

An area of Hollybrook Cemetery near Lordswood Road remained closed to the public for most of yesterday as police investigated reports of an area of ground which was “disturbed” in "suspicious circumstances".

Asked whether the search was related to the afterbirth discovered on a footpath off Dale Road back in June, a police spokesperson said officers have been "keeping an open mind".

The organ's discovery had sparked a major search for a mum and her baby, with police recently revealing the woman in question is believed to be from West Africa.

The police car and van parked at Hollybrook cemetery (Image: Newsquest)

Last week, police were also seen digging in the garden of a house in Northam in connection with the disappearance of mum-of-three Jo Sheen.

But officers say the "suspicious incident" at Hollybrook Cemetery is not linked to the missing woman.

"We have no evidence currently to suggest that this is connected to any ongoing investigation," a spokesperson said.

Police at Hollybrook Cemetery (Image: Newsquest)

On Thursday afternoon, more than 24 hours since police were first called out, officers were seen setting up crime scene markers in the ground near the cordon.

A worker digging new graves nearby said: “They were here (on Wednesday) morning, then they left and then they came back and set (the cordon) up.

“There are more people today than there were yesterday for sure. It has to be something serious for them to stay and now they’re laying flags which just makes me think that it's serious.”

However, officers have since left, confirming "nothing of significance" was found.

Police stick crime scene flags in the ground at Hollybrook cemetery (Image: Newsquest)

The sight of the cordon sparked curiosity among people visiting their loved ones' graves or walking their dogs.

A woman who saw the police presence on her way to pick up her son from school said: “When I saw the police cordon I thought ‘Why is the police in the cemetery, that doesn’t seem right to me’.

"But now I just wonder why someone would be disturbing the ground."

A police spokesperson said: “We would like to thank people for their patience and co-operation while we conducted searches at the location.

“Nothing of significance was found during our searches, however we will continue to investigate should any further information come to light.”