Fordingbridge: Woman arrested on suspicion of girl's murder

Police attended an address in Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge

A 35-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a three-year-old girl.

Police attended an address in Whitsbury Road in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, at 19:00 BST on Thursday following a report of a concern for welfare.

The child was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition but later died.

The woman was also treated by paramedics at the scene, Hampshire Constabulary said.

Officers are making inquiries into the circumstances of the girl's death, the force added.

No further details about the girl's death have been released by police

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said the girl's death was a "complete tragedy".

"We do not know what happened, there was absolutely no indication that anything was wrong, we didn't know of any issues.

"It's just thoroughly sad, our sympathies go to the family, it's quite sickening."

A spokeswoman for South Central Ambulance Service said two ambulances and an air ambulance were sent to the property at about 18:45 and the girl was taken to Salisbury District Hospital by road.

The woman did not need hospital treatment.

At the scene: BBC South Today reporter Chrissy Sturt

Neighbours have been reacting with complete shock and disbelief to the news that a three-year-old girl has died.

All morning there have been several police vehicles outside the property on Whitsbury Road which leads into Fordingbridge.

Two police officers are standing guard within the cordon.

The area has a small open green area popular with dog walkers who have been horrified to hear the news, although nobody I have spoken to knew the family personally.