Summary

  • Police have been providing an update after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death in Croydon, south London, on her way to school

  • The Met's Ch Supt Andy Brittain says the stabbing is "every parent's worst nightmare" and officers' thoughts are with the family of the girl

  • He says she cannot be identified at this point

  • The attack took place at Wellesley Road at about 08:30 BST on Wednesday

  • A teenage boy, believed to be known to the victim, was arrested shortly after the girl died at 09:21 BST, and a murder inquiry has begun

  • One eyewitness described seeing a bus driver and a woman trying to resuscitate the girl on the pavement

Live Reporting

Edited by Alex Therrien

  1. What we learned from police press conference

    Alex Therrien
    Live reporter

    Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain speaking at the scene near the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, south LondonPA Media

    We're awaiting further developments after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death in Croydon this morning. Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy and have launched a murder inquiry.

    Here's a quick recap of what we learned from the Met Police's press conference, which took place shortly after 14:00 BST:

    • Ch Supt Andy Brittain, the local policing commander for south London, said officers were called at 08:30 and took two minutes to arrive at the scene of the stabbing in Wellesley Road, Croydon
    • He described the death of the 15-year-old girl, who was walking to school, as "every parent's worst nightmare"
    • Within 75 minutes, police arrested a 17-year-old boy in the New Addington area - about five miles away from Croydon town centre
    • Brittain said the suspect is known to the victim, and he confirmed police are not looking for anyone else
    • He said police won't be naming the victim at this stage, adding there are still many unanswered questions about what happened
    • The mayor of Croydon says the council will do "everything we can" to support the community

    You can read our story here.

  2. WATCH: Officers 'devastated' by girl's death - police chief

    Here's a clip from that media conference we covered a little earlier, during which the Met's Ch Supt Andy Brittain said the girl's death was "every parent's worst nightmare".

    You can watch below.

  3. Girl's school 'deeply shocked' by 'senseless and tragic death'

    As we mentioned earlier, the 15-year-old girl was a pupil at the Old Palace of John Whitgift School, in Croydon.

    The selective independent school said in a statement: "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."

  4. Knife deaths in Croydon happening far too often, parents say

    Some more reaction now to news of a 15-year-old girl being stabbed to death in Croydon today on her way to school.

    Local residents have told the BBC knife deaths in the area are happening "far too often".

    Watch the video below.

  5. We will support young people, says mayor

    Croydon's executive mayor Jason Perry says everyone feels "personally devestated" by the girl's death.

    Perry adds the council will do "everything we can" to support the community, particularly the area's young people.

    And with that, the press conference comes to a close.

  6. Death also hard for emergency service workers, MP says

    Croydon Central MP Sarah Jones, speaking next, thanks emergency service workers for trying their best to save the girl's life.

    Today is hard for them too, she tells reporters.

    Jones adds that she is "so sorry" to the victim's family for what has happened, and she "cannot imagine" what they are going through.

    She then tells residents to take the time they need to grieve - and urges potential witnesses or people with knowledge of the incident to make themselves known to the police.

  7. Community chief 'devastated' by teen's death

    Next local community chair Donna Murray Turner speaks briefly to say she is "devastated" another life has been taken.

    She says everyone stands with the family as they grieve.

  8. Victim cannot be named, policeman says

    The victim cannot be named at the moment, Brittain adds, saying many questions about what has happened today are still unanswered.

    He says specialist detectives and teams of officers will be working to find answers.

  9. Suspect known to the victim, Brittain says

    The police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

    Ch Supt Andy Brittain says the suspect is known to the victim.

  10. Suspect arrested within 75 minutes of incident

    Brittain says the victim's family has been informed and officers' thoughts are with them at "what must be a difficult time".

    He says that within 75 minutes of the incident a boy was arrested and remains in custody.

  11. 'Every parent's worst nightmare'

    The Met's Ch Supt Andy Brittain says officers arrived at the scene of the stabbing within two minutes of a call being made to emergency services at 08:30 this morning.

    He confirms a 15-year-old girl died at the scene

    "This is every parent's worst nightmare," he adds.

    "Officers are devastated."

  12. Police statement starting

    The police statement has just begun.

    Stay with us for updates.

  13. What do we know so far?

    Police and forensic investigators at the scene near the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, south London after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death on Wednesday morningPA Media

    If you’re just joining us, let’s bring you up to speed with what we know so far:

    • A 15-year-old girl has died after being stabbed in Croydon, south London. She was a pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift School, an independent school
    • The attack took place at Wellesley Road at about 08:30 BST on Wednesday
    • A teenage boy, believed to be known to the victim, was arrested shortly after the girl died at 09:21 BST, and a murder inquiry has begun
    • One eyewitness described seeing a bus driver and a woman trying to resuscitate the girl on the pavement

  14. Police statement due after girl, 15, stabbed to death in Croydon

    Alex Therrien
    Live reporter

    We're expecting to hear from police in the next few minutes after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death in Croydon, south London, earlier today.

    A teenage boy, believed to be known to the victim, was arrested shortly after the girl died at 09:21 BST, and a murder inquiry has begun.

    Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, local policing commander for south London, will make an on-camera statement at the scene of the murder in Wellesley Road in Croydon. You can watch it live at the top of this page.

    The police statement is due to be given at 14:00 BST. Stay with us for the latest updates.