Police fear woman gave birth to a baby on the banks of the Cooks River

Police are appealing for information after discovering grim evidence a mother had given birth on the banks of a river in Sydney‘s south-west.

Emergency services were called to the Cooks River near Wardell Road, Earlwood, at about 4.30pm on Monday following reports ‘evidence of a birth’ had been located.

Officers attached to Burwood Police Area Command arrived to find evidence a child had been born near the water.

Police hold serious concerns for the welfare of the child and its mother.

Detectives have established a crime scene and have launched an investigation into the incident.

Officers are urging the mother to attend her nearest hospital to receive urgent care for herself and her child.

As inquiries continue police are urging anyone with CCTV vision or information about the incident to contact Burwood Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.