Constance Marten: Police concerned newborn baby sleeping in ‘sub-zero’ temperatures

Police are “extremely concerned” for the welfare of a newborn baby who they believe has been sleeping in a tent in sub-zero temperatures.

Constance Marten, 35, Mark Gordon, 48, and their newborn child have been missing since their car broke down on the M61 near Bolton on January 5.

The couple were last seen in east London over two weeks ago and the Met Police have since taken over the investigation.

Officers have now established that the couple went into Argos on Whitechapel Road at 6.19pm on Saturday January 7 to buy camping gear.

Police say that Mark went in alone and bought two big bags full of items, paying in cash, including a blue two-man tent, two sleeping bags and two pillows. He left the store at 6.40pm.

They then spent slightly more than three hours walking around the area. They tried to flag down three black cabs, but were refused.

They then left the area on foot and were last seen walking along Brick Lane, towards Bethnal Green Road, at 10pm that night.

This is the last official sighting of the family.

Det Sup Lewis Basford, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are extremely concerned that a newborn baby – less than a week old at the time on January 7 – has been exposed to sub-freezing cold temperatures if Mark and Constance have been camping out somewhere as our evidence suggests.

“No child, especially a tiny, newborn baby, should be forced to endure such dangerous, potentially life-threatening, conditions.

“This is why it is absolutely vital that anyone with information about their whereabouts contacts us as a matter of urgency – whether it is with a recent or older sighting.

“Every piece of information is crucial to enabling us to find the baby and ensure it is okay.

“My officers will continue working tirelessly behind the scenes to piece together the family’s movements and current whereabouts.

“It could be that they are trying to blend in with homeless communities, either here in London or further afield, or they could be camping in more rural or wooded areas.

"They could be absolutely anywhere in the country.

“Please keep your eyes peeled, especially while you are out and about in waste ground or beauty spots, or while you’re walking the dog, and report any information, no matter how insignificant you think it is, to us.”

Anyone who has information on the family’s whereabouts should call the incident room on 020 7175 0785.

Alternatively, information can be reported 100 per cent anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.