Teenager stabbed to death in ‘happiest’ town
Youth detained as double knife attack leaves community ‘that looks after one another’ reeling
A TEENAGE boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death in a quiet market town that recently won a “happiest place to live in Great Britain” award.
Emergency services were called to the Priestpopple area of Hexham, Northumberland, shortly after 5pm on Friday, after a report from the ambulance service of two injured teenagers.
A boy and girl – aged 16 and 15 respectively – suffered serious injuries “consistent with having been caused by a bladed article”, police said.
Both were taken to hospital where the girl died later that evening. The boy suffered serious, non-life threatening injuries and remains in hospital.
Another 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault, and later on suspicion of murder, Northumbria Police said.
Derek Kennedy, the Mayor of Hexham, said last night the town was in “complete shock”.
“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,” he said.
Hexham, around 25 miles west of Newcastle city centre, is described as a “charming market town”, with floral gardens and a Grade II listed abbey.
The town is a popular stop-off point for tourists.
Mr Kennedy said: “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.”
The local school, Queen Elizabeth High, cancelled its performance of Godspell last night following the news. Mr Kennedy added: “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.” The rector of Hexham Abbey, Rev David Glover, invited members of the community to come and light a candle to “reflect on this terrible tragedy”.
He told The Sunday Telegraph: “We are very, very shocked and concerned that this has happened – it is dreadful. It is a shock to our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tragic events.
“We wanted to help by inviting people to come and pay their respects. There is seating space in the abbey for everyone.” Chief Supt Sam Rennison, area commander for Northumberland and North Tyneside, said: “A teenage girl has sadly died, leaving her family completely devastated beyond words. Another boy has also been seriously injured. Our thoughts are very much with their loved ones at this awful time, and we are supporting them in every way we can.
“We have arrested a teenager in relation to the incident and officers remain in the area. While our investigation is at an early stage, we do believe all those involved are known to each other.”