Boy, 17, who 'knew victim' arrested after girl, 15, stabbed to death on way to school

A teenage boy remains in custody being questioned by detectives after a 15-year-old girl with a “bright future” was stabbed to death on her way to school.

The “much-loved” youngster, who has not been named, died after being stabbed in the neck with a foot-long knife during the Wednesday morning rush hour in Croydon, south London, a witness said. A 17-year-old boy, who knew the victim, was arrested just over an hour after the attack which took place on busy Wellesley Road at around 8.30am.

A steady flow of well-wishers left flowers and cards near the scene on Wednesday evening, and the girl’s school paid tribute to its “valued friend and pupil”.

READ MORE: Man killed dad-of-six 45 minutes after police had arrested him at home

READ MORE: Tragedy as woman killed with another seriously injured after car reverses into them

Anthony King, chairman of My Ends – a project helping combat youth violence in Croydon, was with the girl’s family after the incident and said they were “heartbroken”.

He added: “She had a bright future ahead of her. She was in her GCSE year.”

Mr King described the girl as an “absolutely incredible young lady” and told of how others said she was “jovial, very comedic”. He also said the arrested boy had been known to local community groups for the past couple of years.

Witnesses told the PA news agency the girl and her alleged attacker were not in a relationship.

One of the cards left near to where the attack took place read: “Sorry we live in this crazy world this makes no sense.

“Fly high up there my mummy will look after you. RIP beautiful, forever young, taken too soon. Thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends, God bless.”

Another said: “Rest in peace little princess. So sad your life