A teenage girl was stabbed to death in front of her two horrified friends after taking the bus to school this morning.
Police raced to reports of a stabbing near Whitgift shopping centre, Croydon, south London at around 8.30am today. Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and Londonâs Air Ambulance also attended. Despite their best efforts, the 15-year-old was sadly pronounced dead at the scene less than an hour later. Officers tracked down a teenage boy in connection with the incident, and arrested him in the area at roughly 9.45am. The force believes that he may have been known to her. A crime scene remains in place as detectives investigate.
Anthony King, chair of the My Ends organisation which works with the Met Police in Croydon said: âTwo 15-year-old girls were absolutely devastated by witnessing their very close friend being stabbed. Theyâre still being interviewed by police. The trauma, the shock of the two girls that were present was absolutely heart wrenching, heart breaking. They were on the bus to school this morning, they were due to arrive about 8.45am. They were very close friends with the deceased."
A bus driver and passer-by desperately tried to save a teenage girl on the pavement after horror unfolded during the school rush hour this morning. A mother-of-two, who wanted to be named only as Bridget, said: "I was on the bus before and came off and walked back down, I saw them resuscitating her. The driver was holding her, and a lady. The emergency services were already here when I walked back."
She said two other schoolgirls, believed to be the victim's friends, were trying to get back through the police cordon but were held back. Footage posted on social media showed several police cars and ambulance vehicles near a bus in Croydon on Wednesday morning.
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The Met's Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, in charge of local policing, said: âOur immediate thoughts are with this young girlâs family who are facing the most tragic of news. Our officers are with the girlâs family to support them. I am in contact with the local community, who are clearly as concerned as we are about this tragic incident. I shall continue to update them throughout the day.
âMy officers were immediately on scene to provide first aid and support paramedics. Acting on information provided to them, officers also worked closely with colleagues from across the Met and the British Transport Police to track a teenager in connection with the stabbing. 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.â A white tent has been erected within a police cordon outside the Whitgift Centre on Wellesley Road.
Three crews, an incident response officer and an advanced paramedic in a car were sent to the scene, said the London Ambulance Service. Anyone who witnessed the attack or has information is urged to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 1601/27Sep, or get in touch anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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