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LIVECroydon stabbing: Schoolgirl knifed to death in front of her two horrified friends
Police have arrested a teenage boy believed to be known to the 15-year-old girl after she was pronounced dead at the scene following reports of a stabbing in Croydon
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Croydon: Police cordon scene of stabbing on London bus
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Two pals witnessed horror moment their 'very close friend' was stabbed17:39
Vigil to be held this evening for young victim15:12
Schoolgirl's family are 'devastated' and 'in shock', says support worker14:13
Boy, 17, remains in custody for questioning14:08
School pays tribute to 'much-loved and valued friend and pupil'13:38
ByKatie WestonSenior Reporter (Exclusives)Amy SharpeNews ReporterAndy LinesKieren Williams
UPDATED18:31, 27 SEP 2023
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A teenage girl was stabbed to death after taking a bus to school in front of her two horrified friends 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 London’s Air Ambulance also attended. Despite their best efforts, the teenage girl 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: “Two 15-year-old girls were absolutely devastated by witnessing their very close friend being stabbed. They’re 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.
The Met's Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, in charge of local policing, said: “Our immediate thoughts are with this young girl’s family who are facing the most tragic of news. Our officers are with the girl’s 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.
“My 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.” 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.
This is a developing story. Follow our live blog below for all the latest updates
18:31Kieren Williams
Community worker helped alleged attacker 'for more than a couple years' before stabbing
A community worker has said he worked with the teenage boy who allegedly stabbed a 15-year-old girl in the neck for "more than a couple of years".
Anthony King is chairman of the My Ends project, an initiative that aims to stop youth violence in Croydon.
He said that he had worked with the alleged attacker over a lengthy spell, before this mornings horrific incident that left a teenager girl dead on her way to school. He said the news "came as a major shock".
A blood stained bunch of plastic flowers is seen on the pavement near the horrific attack this morning (Image:Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)
17:58Kieren Williams
Heartbreaking message left in tribute to teenager schoolgirl stabbed this morning
A heartbreaking message was left amongst the tributes to the teenage girl who was stabbed in Croydon this morning.
One message left with a bunch of tulips said: "Sorry we live in this crazy world. This makes no sense. Fly high up there. My mummy will look after you xx. RIP beautiful, forever young taken too soon."
17:39KEY EVENT
Two pals witnessed horror moment their 'very close friend' was stabbed
Two pals witnessed the moment their friend was stabbed in the neck and killed, in Croydon, south London, this morning.
They were said to have been "very close friends" with the young victim, and had been on the bus with her on their way to school.
Anthony King, chair of the My Ends organisation which works with the Met Police in Croydon said: “Two 15-year-old girls were absolutely devastated by witnessing their very close friend being stabbed. They’re still being interviewed by police.
Police forensic officers at the scene of a fatal stabbing
“The family are being supported by specialist officers. What I can say to the community which is absolutely devastated is to reassure children and young people that it is safe to walk the street, to travel through the streets.
“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."
17:31Kieren Williams
Stabbing victim had 'a bright future' ahead
The teenage girl who was tragically killed in Croydon this morning in Croydon had a "bright future" ahead of her.
A community worker said the young victim had a bright future ahead of her as she prepared to take her GCSEs. Anthony King, chair of the My Ends organisation which works with the Met Police in Croydon said: “She had a bright future ahead of her going into her GCSE year.
“The victim was absolutely incredible with a very bright future. A very comedic young lady. The word I think that was used was jovial. She was on track to pass all of her GCSEs. She was very articulate.”
16:55Kieren Williams
Student from same school as stabbing victim comforted in touching picture
After this morning's horrific stabbing, some people have visited the scene of the attack.
Some flowers were left in tribute, and others were seen comforting one another in Croydon, south London.
A youngster who goes to the same school as the stabbing victim is comforted in Croydon (Image:Jeremy Selwyn)
16:45Kieren Williams
Tributes left at the scene of the tragic stabbing
Tributes have been left at the scene of this morning's tragic stabbing.
Flowers have been left at the scene of the stabbing in Croydon, south London this afternoon.
Meanwhile, other people were seen, visibly emotional, as they comforted one another at the scene.
Tributes left at the scene of the tragic stabbing (Image:PA)
16:26Kieren Williams
Forensic officer collects roses after reports victim was offered flowers moments before horrific attack
A forensic officer has been seen putting flowers into a container at the scene of this morning's horrific stabbing in Croydon, London.
This came after earlier reports that the victim had been offered flowers before an argument broke out, in the moments leading up to the stabbing. Chevanice Thomas said her friend was on Wellesley Road and saw a boy give the girl flowers.
A forensic investigator puts flowers into a container at the scene of the stabbing (Image:PA)
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Chevanice continued: “He turned up today with a group of boys and tried to give her flowers, she didn’t want anything to do with him, she said something, then he got violent and stabbed her. The knife was like a sword - it was really big.”
Another woman at the scene told how her friend was aboard the bus and witnessed the girl arguing with a boy prior to the stabbing. The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “The boy was with a group and he gave her flowers. She didn’t want it. They were arguing, the whole bus could hear, and then it spilled off the bus apparently. It’s so sad but I can’t say I’m shocked. We have had stabbings in Croydon before. This is what happens now.”
16:14Kieren Williams
Met Police commissioner arrives at the scene
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has arrived at the scene of this morning's tragic stabbing.
The chief copper was pictured walking near the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, where the young girl was stabbed this morning.
Even after one arrest, officers continue to comb the area for any and every bit of evidence.
15:47Kieren Williams
Local MP 'heartbroken' and says community will take time to grieve
The local MP has spoken out earlier today after the tragic stabbing this morning.
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.
“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.”
Local leaders have spoken out after the tragedy this morning (Image:TIM ANDERSON)
15:20Kieren Williams
Man described how he ran down a boy in aftermath of stabbing
A man has described how he and others chased after a boy in the aftermath of the stabbing in Croydon, today.
Victor Asare was on a bus on the way home from a night shift as a security worker when he said he saw a boy in a black blazer stab a girl in the neck with a knife which was “black, thin and about a foot long”.
He said: “The boy wore a black blazer, the girl wore green. It looked like the girl didn’t want the boy to come closer.” He then described the boy stabbing the girl in the neck with a black knife.
The 50-year-old described how the stabbing took place, and the horrifying aftermath. He added. "A lot of people came, everyone came off the bus. [The boy] ran away. Everybody was crying and screaming. The girl was on the floor. We tried to catch him and a lot of people tried to save the girl. I was so shocked, I was shaken. It’s somebody’s daughter. I finished work but couldn’t sleep, so came back, I wanted to see if the girl was OK.”
Officers at the scene of the stabbing this afternoon (Image:TIM ANDERSON)
15:12KEY EVENT
Vigil to be held this evening for young victim
A vigil is to be held later this evening for the young teenage girl, at a local church.
The Croydon Minster announced on its social media that it would be opening its doors for anyone to pay their respects, light a candle or sit in quiet and reflect.
They added: "We pray for the pupil, her parents, family, and friends, and for peace in our town and borough."
14:43Katie Weston
Updated police statement in full
Following this afternoon's press conference, the Met Police has released an updated statement.
The force said: "Shortly after 08:30hrs on Wednesday, 27 September, we were called to reports of a stabbing in Wellesley Road. Officers were on the scene within two minutes of the call being received.
"They provided emergency first aid along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance. Sadly, despite their efforts, a 15-year-old girl died at the scene.
"Her family have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time. We carried out urgent enquiries to find the suspect - and within around 75 minutes of the incident happening - a 17-year-old boy was arrested in New Addington.
"He remains in custody and will be questioned by detectives. We remain in the early stages of our investigation, however based on what we know so far, we are not looking for anybody else at this time.
"From our initial enquiries, we believe the suspect knew the victim. We are not in a position to release the victim's identity at this time."
Sarah Jones, Labour MP for Croydon Central makes a statement to the media (Image:Getty Images)
14:33Amy Sharpe
Students to gather at scene today to pay tribute to schoolgirl
Students are expected to attend the scene to pay tribute this afternoon, Donna said.
"This will have a ripple effect amongst schools and school leaders and parents will have to think about how to handle this. This is going to have a massive effect across our borough."
A forensic officer photographing the scene (Image:TIM ANDERSON)
14:32Amy Sharpe
Girl's parents 'were called to scene but couldn't make it in time'
James, a support worker, added: "I got a phone call from the police and came down, and it was here I spoke to the family.
"They received a call to come to the scene shortly after the incident happened. Unfortunately they (were not) able to arrive in time (before she died.)"
Donna Murray-Turner, of community group Another Night of Sisterhood, said she was also there to offer the girl’s family support this morning. She told the Mirror: “Words like devastated and disbeliefs and shock are not enough.
“Imagine you got a phone call asking where you where you are, are you by yourself, get on transportation, then to find out that your child is gone. How would anyone feel?”
Both community groups will be supporting the schoolgirl’s family, as well as friends who were at the scene and witnessed the incident, in the coming days and weeks.
Safer Neighbourhood Board Chair, Donna Murray-Turner
14:13KEY EVENT
Schoolgirl's family are 'devastated' and 'in shock', says support worker
By Amy Sharpe
The family of a schoolgirl who was fatally stabbed are "devastated and in shock" following her death, a community worker has said.
James Watkins told how the girl’s parents were summoned to the scene this morning but “unable to make it” in time to say goodbye to their daughter. James, founder of Mainz World - which offers crime-prevention projects for children and young people - also said the suspect had been “known” to his organisation.
He told the Mirror: "“They are devastated and I would say, more importantly, in shock. I don’t think it feels real to them at the moment." The family “are not at a stage yet” to be thinking of paying tribute to the girl, who had siblings, James said - adding that they are “just in shock and disbelief.”
14:12Katie Weston
Police not looking for anyone else in connection with stabbing
Mr Brittain said: "We remain in the early stages of our investigation.
"We believe we are not looking for anyoe else. It is believed the suspect may have known the victim."
The force is not in a position to release the victim's identity, he said. The chief superintendent added: "We are working to ensure those directly affected get the right support and the wider community can come together and grieve."
A forensic tent and officers near the bus stop (Image:Getty Images)
14:10Katie Weston
Met chief superintendent: 'This is every parent's worst nightmare'
Mr Brittain told reporters: "This is every parent's worst nightmare.
"Officers who responded this morning are devastated at the victim's death." The teenage girl's family have been informed, he said.
Police work at the scene (Image:Getty Images)
14:08KEY EVENT
Boy, 17, remains in custody for questioning
Giving a press conference this afternoon, the Met's Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain said a 17-year-old boy has been arrested.
He confirmed that he remains in custody and will be questioned by detectives.
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain makes a statement to the media (Image:Getty Images)
13:54Katie Weston
Forensic teams inspect scene after schoolgirl's death
13:46Katie Weston
Schoolgirl's friends 'tried to get through cordon but were held back'
Michael Fyffe, a local business owner who has two 13-year-old twins, said he came across the horrifying scene as he left the shopping centre.
He said: "I didn't see the incident itself, I came just afterwards. There was a girl on the floor and police officers were trying to resuscitate her. Two of her friends were trying to get to her and one was saying they were her best friend.
"Lots of people were getting off the bus. I came out of the Whitgift Centre and saw people and started asking what happened and then saw the girl on the floor. Everyone on the bus said she had been stabbed in the neck and some guy ran off."
A mother-of-two, who wanted to be named only as Bridget, also said two schoolgirls were trying to get back through the police cordon, but were held back.
Police work at the cordoned-off scene (Image:Getty Images)
13:38KEY EVENT
School pays tribute to 'much-loved and valued friend and pupil'
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."
13:29Katie Weston
Estate agent who works nearby says area is a 'war zone'
An estate agent who works near the scene in Croydon has said the town has "gone to the dogs".
Leigh Thomas, 41, said: "I came out of my office and there were two ambulances right across the road and about 12 police cars." He added: "Croydon has gone to the dogs recently. The other side of the shopping centre is a war zone.
"There's drug dealing, fights, there was another stabbing recently. I grew up around here, it's not what it used to be."
Forensics next to the bus (Image:PA)
13:24Katie Weston
Teenager attended all-girls private school nearby, says report
The teenage girl who was fatally stabbed attended a leading all-girls private school in the area, it is reported.
She is believed to have been a pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift school, according to The Telegraph.
The Mirror has approached the school for comment.
Forensics at the scene (Image:PA)
12:56KEY EVENT
Bus driver 'tried to resuscitate girl' after she was stabbed 'in neck and chest'
By Amy Sharpe
A local mum-of-two described how a bus driver attempted to resuscitate the schoolgirl after she was stabbed “in the neck and chest”. Bridgett - who did not want to give a surname -told how she disembarked a different bus on Wellesley Road this morning and happened upon the “panicked” scene.
“When I came she was already on the floor. There was a bus driver holding her and then a lady - she was so panicked. Everybody who was there was panicked.”
Bridgett, who lives in Croydon, added: "When they were resuscitating her I was gasping. She was in grey trousers and they were resuscitating her and I saw her (gasping). I was so scared I didn’t go close." When asked where the girl’s wounds were, she gestured to her beck and chest.
Forensics arrived early this afternoon to comb the area (Image:PA)
12:39KEY EVENT
Schoolgirl 'rejected flowers' moments before stabbing
By Amy Sharpe
A schoolgirl who was fatally stabbed this morning was seen arguing on a bus with “an ex-boyfriend after he gave her flowers”, it has been claimed. Locals told how a row between the pair “spilled out into the street” when they disembarked a bus outside the Whitgift shopping centre this morning.
Chevanice Thomas said her friend was on Wellesley Road and saw the schoolgirl arguing with a boy prior to the stabbing. The 28-year-old, who works in construction, said: “He turned up today with a group of boys and tried to give her flowers, she didn’t want anything to do with him, she said something, then he got violent and stabbed her. The knife was like a sword - it was really big.”
Another woman at the scene told how her friend was aboard the bus and witnessed the girl arguing with a boy prior to the stabbing. The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “The boy was with a group and he gave her flowers. She didn’t want it. They were arguing, the whole bus could hear, and then it spilled off the bus apparently.
“It’s so sad but I can’t say I’m shocked. We have had stabbings in Croydon before. This is what happens now.”
Read more here.
Flowers at the scene (Image:PA)
12:30Katie Weston
Forensics arrive at the scene
A forensics team has arrived at the scene where a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death in Croydon.
Forensic officers arrived wearing blue overalls. An officer could also be seen searching bushes with a sniffer dog.
Forensic investigators at the scene (Image:PA)
12:08KEY EVENT
Hotel workers desperately tried to save girl 'using towels and bin bags'
Hotel workers desperately tried to save the teenage girl using towels and bin bags, it is reported.
The duty manager of the nearby Leonardo Hotel had just finished her shift and left to get the bus when she came across the scene. She is said to have run back to the hotel screaming "a girl has been stabbed" and told her co-workers to get bin bags and towels to help.
An anonymous hotel worker told The Telegraph: "One of our duty managers went to get the bus but she came back in screaming and grabbing towels from the back room. She ran out there with bin bags and towels. She was crying and in shock - she needed painkillers after.”
12:01Katie Weston
Police sniffer dogs deployed at scene
Police have deployed sniffer dogs near the scene.
Footage posted to Twitter by ITV reporter Charlotte Gay shows the dogs searching shrubbery near a bus inside the police cordon. She wrote: "Police sniffer dogs in Croydon where a 15 year old girl had been stabbed to death on a bus during morning rush hour."
11:51KEY EVENT
Sadiq Khan 'absolutely heartbroken' by schoolgirl's death
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "I am absolutely heartbroken by the death of a 15-year-old girl in Croydon this morning.
"My thoughts and prayers are with this young girl's family and friends, and the whole community, at this unimaginably awful time. An arrest has been made in connection with this incident and I am in close contact with the Met Commissioner. I urge anyone with any further information to call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.
"I promise to continue working day and night to end the scourge of knife crime in our city."
A white forensic tent at the scene (Image:PA)
11:49KEY EVENT
Bus driver 'asked passengers to search for a knife under their seat'
One person wrote on Facebook: "There's been a stabbing Croydon. Stay away. The bus driver has just asked us all to search for a knife on the bus as he was the closest bus.
"Please be vigilant if you are in the area. When will this end?" In a further post, they said: "15 year old girl was stabbed on a busy bus in Croydon. A family lost a child. I'm at the station in tears."
The passenger added: "Starting my day in the outside world being asked to look for a knife under my seat on a bus SHOULD NOT be.
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