‘Every parent’s worst nightmare’ Girl, 15, stabbed to death in Croydon
A 15-year-old girl has allegedly been stabbed to death by a teenager near a school bus stop in Croydon this morning (Wednesday, September 27). A teenager, who is believed to be known to the victim. has been arrested.
The victim is reported to have rejected flowers[1] from a boy moments before the attack near the Whitgift Centre, a major shopping centre on Wellesley Road. Video footage taken at the scene shows at least 9 ambulances and 4 police cars near the bus stop.
Police were called at about 8.30am on this morning to reports of a 15-year-old girl stabbed on Wellesley Road in Croydon. Officers, the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended. Despite their efforts, sadly she died at the scene at 09:21am.
Emergency services at the scene near the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, south London after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death on Wednesday morning
A 17-year-old boy was arrested in New Addington within around 75 minutes of the incident happening. He remains in custody and will be questioned by detectives
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain said: “This is every parent’s worst nightmare and I know the officers who responded this morning – along with our emergency service colleagues – are devastated at the victim’s death. This is an emotion I share – and I know people across Croydon will be feeling the same.”
“I can confirm that an arrest was made at about 09:45hrs in the Croydon area. At this early stage we believe that he may have known her. A crime scene will be in place for some time, and I am grateful for the cooperation of residents.”
Wellesley Road in Croydon[3] has been shut northbound between the Whitgift Shopping Centre and St Michael’s Road since around 9am. The road closure has caused 16 buses to divert.
A bunch of flowers could be seen next to the forensic tent. The girl was a pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift School.
The school released a statement to say: “We are deeply shocked by the senseless and tragic death of our much-loved and valued friend and pupil It will take some time for the Old Palace community to come to terms with this terrible news, and we will offer support to our pupils as we try to do so. Above all, we send our love and deepest sympathies to the girl’s family at this unimaginably distressing time.”
Speaking to MyLondon, a local resident said: “This is why I am trying to get out of here. It scares me. My heart goes out to her family. I don’t know what this world is coming to. I don’t want to send my children to school around here anymore, this is happening too regularly.”
A bus driver and a passer-by desperately apparently tried to save the teenage girl’s life. The pair were seen trying to resuscitate the injured 15-year-old on the pavement after horror unfolded in the morning rush hour.
Croydon MP Sarah Jones said: “I’m heartbroken that a child in my town has been killed on her way to school and I cannot imagine the grief that her family will be going through at this time.
Flowers close to the scene of where the girl was stabbed (Image: PA)
“I want to thank the police and the ambulance services for trying so hard to save her life. They run into danger and I know they will be suffering today, too. I want to repeat the request from the police that if anybody has any information so anything please do get in touch.
“We all hold our children close and our community will take time to grieve, but for today we are just thinking of this young girl and her family. I’m so sorry.”
Croydon mayor Jason Perry said: “We all personally feel devastated by the events that have happened here in Croydon this morning and the tragic loss of such a young life.
“The community are feeling that hurt right now and we will do everything we can to support the community through such a very difficult time.”
Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry said in a statement on Facebook: “I am devastated to hear that the teenage girl who was stabbed in the town centre this morning has tragically died.
“The Council are in touch with the police and will fully support their investigations. Our whole community’s thoughts will be with the victim’s family and friends.
“A suspect, who is believed to have known the victim, has been located and arrested by local police officers, and I would like to thank all those who responded so quickly and professionally to the incident.
“I urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the police on 101 or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A spokesman for London Ambulance Service confirmed that three ambulance crews, an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic in a car as well as the air ambulance were sent to the scene.
A large police cordon was put in place outside the Whitgift Centre, with a red double decker bus on route 60, three police vehicles and about a dozen officers behind the police tape.
A bunch of flowers had been placed directly next to a forensic tent within the cordon.
References
- ^ rejected flowers (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ Teenager killed on way to school rejected flowers from boy moments before stabbing (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ Croydon (www.mylondon.news)