Murder inquiry after girl, 9, dies in suspected stabbing

A MURDER investigation has been launched after a nine-year-old girl died from a suspected stab wound yesterday evening.

Lincolnshire Police said officers were called to the scene in Boston at around 6.20pm.

The force said the area has been cordoned off and they would be at the scene for the foreseeable future.

In a statement released on their website, police said the incident was being treated as murder.

The victim’s parents have been informed and the force said their “thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time”.

“Her family will be supported by specialist trained officers,” the statement added.

Matt Warman, the Conservative MP for Boston and Skegness, said he had been in contact with the policing minister to ensure national assistance is available to the investigation.

“Profoundly shocking news in Boston this evening,” Mr Warman said yesterday.

“I have spoken to senior officers locally and am hugely grateful for all the emergency services’ work. I have also been in contact with policing minister Tom Pursglove to ensure that any national help that might be useful is made available as quickly as possible.”

Fountain Lane in Boston, a market town on the east coast, borders the back of an old Grade II listed building called The Sessions House.

Behind the old court building on Fountain Lane lies a car park and a few

‘Profoundly shocking news in Boston this evening. I have spoken to senior officers locally’

boarded-up shops. One end of the lane appears to end on a residential street, with a few shops dotted between homes. The other end leads to what appears to be a busy high street, with shops and restaurants.

Home Office figures in 2016 found that the port town was the most murderous place in England and Wales.

Data showed that there were two homicides and eight attempted murders in Boston for the period up to September 2015, meaning there was a murder and attempted murder rate of 15 crimes for every 100,000 people.