British police say a 15-year-old girl was stabbed on her way to school and a 17-year-old male suspect was arrested in connection with her death
September 27, 2023, 6:59 am ET
• 2 min reading
LONDON – A 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death on her way to school south of London on Wednesday morning, and a 17-year-old male suspect has been arrested in connection with her death, police said.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were at the scene at around 8:30 a.m., about two minutes after a report was received that the girl had been stabbed in Croydon, a busy residential and commercial district south of London.
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain said police vehicles, paramedics and an air ambulance were dispatched but the girl was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards.
About 75 minutes after the stabbing, Brittain said a 17-year-old male suspect, who may have known the victim, was arrested not far from the crime scene.
Brittain said the suspect, who was not identified, was in custody awaiting questioning, adding that police were not looking for anyone in connection with the murder.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare and I know that the officers who responded this morning, along with our emergency service colleagues, are devastated by the death of the victim,” he said near the scene of the stabbing.
“It’s an emotion I share and I know people across Croydon will feel the same,” he said.
A white forensic tent was set up inside a police cordon at the crime scene.
Stabbings involving young people are not uncommon in London, but it is relatively rare for girls to be involved in such incidents.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “heartbroken” over the death and expressed his condolences to the girl’s family and the local community.
The girl, who was not named, was a student at the Old Palace of John Whitgift School, a private girls’ school in Croydon.
The school said it was shocked by the “senseless and tragic death of our beloved and valued friend and student.”