Girl, 15, dies after being stabbed as 16-year-old boy is arrested for her murder as another 16-year-old is treated in hospital
A 15-year-old girl has died after being stabbed in Northumberland yesterday evening.
The teenager was fatally wounded in Hexham at about 5:10pm on Friday, and a 16-year-old boy was also injured.
Both were taken to hospital where the girl later died. The boy’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Both of their families are being supported by specially-trained officers.
Northumbria Police said another 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder having initially been arrested on suspicion of assault.
The attack took place at approximately 5.10 on Friday evening. Police attended the scene with ambulance crews
A police search squad arrives in Hexham, Northumberland, this morning after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder having initially been arrested on suspicion of assault
Northumbria Police tweeted: ‘Our thoughts are with all loved ones at this awful time, and we are supporting them in every way we can.
‘We are determined to find out what happened & bring anyone involved to justice.
‘Officers are in the area to carry out enquiries & offer reassurance.
‘We believe those involved are known to each other & would ask people not to speculate.’
Derek Kennedy, mayor of Hexham, told PA: ‘It’s an absolute tragedy, the town is in complete shock, to lose one of our children who attends a local high school is just horrendous.
‘Parents are really anxious for the health of their children because they’re all a part of this community, the schools are all really anxious that their children are really feeling the pain and suffering and shock of such an awful incident.
‘In the Hexham community we have a very low crime rate, generally, it’s a community that looks after one another, we were awarded the happiest place to live in Great Britain last year.
‘It’s a very warm and loving community so for a tragedy such as this to happen, we always find it much more difficult and it’s knocked everyone for six.
‘To happen to such a young person and the alleged perpetrator to be a young person, in the high street at 5pm, is just shocking, everyone is just shocked and struggling to come to terms with it, it will ruin so many lives.’
Police believe that the victims of the attack knew their assailant, who has been arrested on suspicion of murder
A large police cordon has been set up in central Hexham and police will remain in the area throughout the weekend
Police were spotted at the location of the attack alongside ambulance crews last night
Police were seen at the location of the attack alongside ambulance crews last night.
Detective Superintendent Aelf Sampson, of Northumbria Police, said last night: ‘This is clearly a serious incident and a full investigation is under way.
‘While our investigation is at an early stage, we do believe all those involved are known to each other.
‘We are determined to find out what has happened and bring anyone involved to justice.’
The town centre has been cordoned off by police and there will be a significant police presence throughout the weekend, the superintendent confirmed.
‘There is a high police presence in the area and a cordon in place which will remain this way into the weekend.
‘We would like to thank the public for their cooperation while officers carry out enquiries.
‘If you did see something or have information in relation to what has happened, please report it to police as soon as possible.’
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