A 15-year old girl has been stabbed to death during the rush hour in Croydon, the Metropolitan Police have said.
Officers were called to Wellesley Road, in south London, at around 8.30am this morning and she died at the scene near the Whitgift shopping centre shortly after 9.20am.
A white tent and a stationary number 60 bus are within the police cordon, while footage posted on social media earlier shows police cars and ambulances surrounding the vehicle.
Police said a teenager was tracked and an arrest was made around an hour and 15 minutes after the stabbing.
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain said: “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.”
He added: “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.
Police are at the scene
“My officers were immediately on scene to provide first aid and support paramedics.”
A spokesman for London ambulance service confirmed that three ambulance crews, an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic in a car as well as the air ambulance were sent to the scene.
Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry said in a statement on Facebook: “I am devastated to hear that the teenage girl who was stabbed in the town centre this morning has tragically died.
“The Council are in touch with the police and will fully support their investigations. Our whole community’s thoughts will be with the victim’s family and friends.
“A suspect, who is believed to have known the victim, has been located and arrested by local police officers, and I would like to thank all those who responded so quickly and professionally to the incident.”
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