Police are investigating after a blood-soaked blanket was dumped in a suitcase outside a North Tyneside supermarket.
The discovery was made on Tuesday morning in the loading bay of Aldi's Wallsend store in High Street West.
Police are now analysing the items.
One witness described the scene as "grim".
They added: "It might be nothing but there was a lot of blood there for nothing.
"There was too much blood for something like a nosebleed."
A Northumbria Police spokesperson confirmed officers were called to the store at around 10.20am.
The case had initially been reported as a "suspicious item".
"The item, a suitcase, showed traces of blood," added the force spokesperson.
"Officers attended and the case was uplifted.
"Enquiries are ongoing."
The store opened in November 2016, a week after another North Tyneside branch in Whitley Bay.
Last year, the firm announced plans to continue its rapid expansion across the North East while another shop is currently being built in North Shields.
