Fatal schoolgirl stabbing 'impossible to comprehend'

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner says the stabbing of a 15-year-old girl on her way to school is 'senseless' and 'impossible to comprehend.'

The teenager was attacked and died at the scene in Croydon, in south London on Wednesday morning.

Sir Mark Rowley said:

"It was moving and humbling to meet many members of the exceptional Croydon community who have come together in support of a family now dealing with the most unimaginable grief.

"The commitment of so many from the local community is inspiring. A powerful partnership between charitable groups, faith and community leaders, the local authority, the wider public and our officers has delivered so much work across the borough.

"They have collectively saved many lives from knife crime. Many are shocked and hurting. They care deeply and it's this passion which has made Croydon a safer place and will continue to in the future.

"I spoke to officers who, with members of the public, were among the first on scene with colleagues trying to save this young girl's life and have since supported her family and friends. Through diligent work by them all an early arrest was made and our major crime team now continue to investigate the events leading up to this awful attack."

Fly high up there my mummy will look after you

Since the attack which took place at around 8.30am, flowers and cards have been left at the scene. One card read; "Fly high up there my mummy will look after you. RIP beautiful, forever young, taken too soon." another said "Thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends, God bless."

James Watkins, from Mainz World which runs prevention and intervention projects for children and young people, was supporting the family of the 15-year-old girl who was stabbed to death in Croydon this morning and said they are "devastated".

He said he was with the girl's family at the scene between 9am and 10am.

He added: "I came down to support the family and some of the young people.

"We were with the family this morning. They were devastated and I would say more importantly in shock, I don't think it feels real for them."

Emergency services on the scene in minutes

Emergency services were called to Wellesley Road in Croydon at around 8.30am to reports that the girl had been stabbed.

Both the land and air ambulance attended but she was pronounced dead at the scene 50 minutes later.

A bus driver and a passer-by were seen desperately trying to save the girl before emergency services arrived, with police at the scene in Wellesley Road in Croydon within two minutes.

The girl who died was a pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift School, a private girls' school in Croydon. In a statement they said:

"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."

A large police cordon was in place as the police investigation into the stabbing continued, with forensics officers and a dog handler among those working at the scene.

A red double decker bus on route 60, three police vehicles and about a dozen officers, as well as a forensics tent, could be seen in the taped off area outside the Whitgift Centre.

Every parent's worst nightmare

Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain said:

"This is every parent's worst nightmare, and I know the officers who responded this morning, along with our emergency service colleagues, are devastated at the victim's death.

"This is an emotion I share and I know people across Croydon will be feeling the same.

"The victim's family has been informed and our thoughts are with them at what must be an incredibly difficult time."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was "absolutely heartbroken" at the news of the girl's death.

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