Horror as body of baby found in stormwater drain as cops launch huge investigation

The gruesome discovery was made by tradesmen clearing the drain (Image: Google)

The body of a baby has been found by tradesmen while they were cleaning a stormwater drain in suburban Perth. They made the horror discovery at around 1pm local time on Monday on Le Salle Road in Alexander Heights in the western Australian city, according to reports. Detectives have spoken to local residents as part of their investigation in the incident - which happened at one of six stormwater drains on the small surburban street.

Alexander Heights resident David Bigwood, who has a 17-month-old child with his partner, said he was devastated to learn of the discovery. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that unfortunate tradespeople had been the ones to find the infant, with officers dispatched to conduct enquiries shortly afterwards.

The West Australian reported that the baby was "just days old" when it was found.

"Western Australian Police responded to reports that the body of an infant had been located in a stormwater drain in Alexander Heights," a spokesperson said.

"Multiple resources have been deployed to the location and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident is currently underway."

The residential street sits in a quiet part of Perth, the capital of Western Australia (Image: Getty)

The quiet residential stretch of Australia's fourth most populous city lies opposite a nature reserve, with homes facing the grassy area from the north.

Officers have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact the force immediaely on 131 444.

Members of the public can also make reports about the circumstances of the discovery to the charity Crime Stoppers Australia by calling 1800 333 000.