Police forensics teams have sealed off a Morden cemetery after the grave of a five-month-old baby was found dug up.

A forensics tent has been placed over the burial spot in Battersea New Cemetery, Garth Road, yesterday and is still guarded by Merton police and community support officers.

Detectives were first summoned at midday on Tuesday to reports that a grave had been “disturbed,” police have said.

Officers are continuing to investigate but have not ruled out the possibility the grave was dug up by wild animals.

Police would not comment on whether the body had been taken.

The baby’s next of kin have been informed but police have not confirmed the family’s identity or when the body was buried.

John Hartley of Lower Morden Lane claimed a large number of police and blue flashing lights could be still seen at the grave at 11pm on Tuesday evening.

He said: “They were still out there when I walked past there at 8.20am the next morning.

"My initial thought was that someone had been killed, but it’s an even more disgusting thought to think a body might have been exhumed.”

A member of staff at the North East Surrey Crematorium, based on the same site, claimed police would only say that an investigation was ongoing.

A spokesman for Wandsworth Council, owners of the Battersea New Cemetery, said: “We are aware of the police activity and will assist in any way we can.”

Police are in contact with the coroner’s office over the incident.

• Do you know more? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.