‘It has shook the whole area’ - Community in shock after death of three-month-old child in Staffordshire woodland

Residents have spoken of their shock and devastation after the death of a three-month-old child in a quiet South Staffordshire community.

People living around Great Wyrley and neighbouring Cheslyn Hay said the tragedy had "really shook the whole area", with locals struggling to come to terms with what had happened at land off Strawberry Lane on Saturday.

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of the baby, who had been camping with family.

One Cheslyn Hay resident, who gave his name only as Chris, said the incident had come as a huge shock in an area where seeing a significant police presence was unusual.

"It has really shook the whole area," he said. "It's a lovely part of the world and usually a really quiet area, we're not used to seeing police around here.

"Lots of people here walk through the woods and the nature reserve on a weekend. I'd only been out by the cemetery myself on Thursday evening.

"No one seems to know any of the details. I don't think anyone should be speculating either, but people are always going to talk."

Other residents described Saturday's events as "tragic" and "devastating" as news of the baby's death spread through the community.

Sir Gavin Williamson, MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge, said the news had caused considerable concern across Great Wyrley and surrounding areas.

He said: "This is extremely distressing news that I know has caused a lot of concern in Great Wyrley and the surrounding areas.

"I would plead with members of the public not to speculate and allow the emergency services to carry out their investigations.

"I am extremely grateful to the emergency services and my thoughts are with the child's family at this incredibly upsetting time."

Staffordshire Police said officers were called to land off Strawberry Lane, near Great Wyrley, at 8.45am on Saturday, September 5, after paramedics responded to reports of a baby in cardiac arrest.

An air ambulance was also sent to the scene, but despite the efforts of emergency crews the three-month-old girl was pronounced dead.

A 42-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, both from South Staffordshire, a 20-year-old woman from Wolverhampton and an 18-year-old man from Walsall were arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.

All four have since been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue.

Detective Inspector Josh Lee, from Staffordshire Police's child protection team, sought to reassure residents and stressed that detectives were keeping an open mind about the circumstances surrounding the baby's death.

He said: "I want to assure the local community that we are working around the clock to investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident, which has understandably caused concern.

"While we can confirm that all four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, we are still working hard to obtain further evidence and we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances of the death at this very early stage, which we are treating as an isolated incident.

"All four people were arrested at the scene of the incident and have been released on bail."