Police hunting the Bournemouth knifeman who killed one woman and left another fighting for her life have arrested a 17-year-old boy.
Dorset Police were called to Durley Chine Beach at the popular Dorset seaside town at 11.42pm last night after reports that two people had been stabbed.
A 34-year-old woman from Poole was pronounced dead at the scene while a 38-year-old woman from Poole was taken to hospital with very serious injuries.
Following extensive enquiries, a 17-year-old boy from Lancashire has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Detective Superintendent Richard Dixey, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: ‘We have worked tirelessly throughout the night since the initial report and have been able to progress our investigation.
‘Foremost, our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the woman who very tragically lost her life. Officers are continuing with their enquiries and a cordon remains in place and is likely to remain so for some time.
A look at a patch of blood which was found near a groyne at the Bournemouth beach where two women were stabbed last night
The double stabbing took place on Durley Chine Beach
People are unable to go on to the beach west of the pier due to the police cordon
‘I would like to renew my appeal for anyone with information who has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us.
‘I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of Durley Chine beach between 10pm on Friday 24 May 2004 and midnight and saw anything unusual. Information can be uploaded through our dedicated Major Incident Public Portal for this case.
‘Members of the public will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be approached with any concerns.’
Aerial photographs show what appeared to be a large patch of blood near a groyne in one photograph.
Police have cordoned off a one-mile stretch of the beach from west of the pier to Alum Chine.
As a result, the beach on the other side of the pier is filling up rapidly, with officers directing revellers towards it.
All businesses within the cordon, including the Bournemouth Oceanarium and several restaurants and beach bars, remain closed as investigations continue.
BCP Council tweeted: ‘Due to an ongoing police investigation, a Police cordon remains in place between the Bournemouth Oceanarium and the Western side of Alum Chine.
An aerial look at the west side of the Bournemouth Pier which remains closed
A large stretch of the beach and promenade has been closed following the stabbing
A forensic officer at work at Durley Chine Beach today following the death
‘The beach, promenade, beach huts, Durley Chine car park, all businesses and access points within the cordon are currently closed.’
Jo Taylor, who lives in nearby Christchurch, said she was already nervous to come into Bournemouth due to being a woman on her own. She added that knife crime was not punished severely enough.
Another couple said: ‘We’ve come all the way down from Bethnal Green to find a stabbing her in sunny Bournemouth.’
Ali Townsend, 50, a marketing director on holiday from Cheltenham with her husband and son, said they are meant to be renting a beach hut within the cordon this weekend.
She said: ‘It is just awfully tragic that a young woman has died and another is fighting for her life.
‘We are staying near to where it happened at Alum Chine and were thinking of going for a walk last night, but decided not to.
‘The increased police presence means I don’t feel scared but something like this puts things into perspective.’
Local MP Sir Conor Burns expressed his horror at the ‘tragic, brutal’ incident.
He said: ‘Yet another tragic, brutal event locally.
A forensic officer takes a photograph of evidence on the beach in Dorset
Two police officers walk along a stretch of the Bournemouth sea front following the tragedy
Police were called to the incident on Durley Chine Beach at the popular Dorset seaside town at 11.42pm last night
‘One will want to reassure the public that one of the reasons that these events are still so newsworthy is that they are still so relatively rare.
‘We want to hear quickly from the police what they are finding and hope that this is an isolated, random act of violence, as so often these things are.’
The violent attacks took place on Durley Chine beach, a few hundred metres west of a Harvester restaurant.
Helicopters could be heard circling overhead for an hour last night from midnight as the manhunt began.
This morning, two forensic vans are parked on the promenade and a team of forensics officers are scouring that area of beach.
An ambulance is also on the promenade and police officers are stationed on the cliff top to stop holidaymakers accessing the beach via the zig zag steps.
Durley Chine, 15 minutes walk west of Bournemouth pier, is a favourite spot of families as it is normally quieter and less rowdy than the pier beach area.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the beach today at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend to make the most of the 60F sunshine.
One holidaymaker on the cliff top said: ‘This is such a beautiful place. What has happened breaks my heart.’
People took to social media to express their shock at the stabbings, which are the latest in a string of serious crimes to take place on Bournemouth beach in recent years.
Tina-Jayne Smith said: ‘Absolutely shocking, what is happening to our town? Thoughts are with the families of the women xx.’
A 34-year-old woman from Poole was pronounced dead at the scene while a 38-year-old woman from Poole was taken to hospital with very serious injuries
Tracy Craddock-Marks added: ‘This is absolutely shocking and horrendous. What on earth is this world coming to?!!!! I fear for the future of our children.
‘Love and thoughts go out to the families and prayers for the lady in hospital.’
Superintendent Gavin House, of Dorset Police, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the woman who very tragically lost her life.
‘Officers are searching the area, but no arrests have been made at this time. A full and detailed investigation is underway.
‘I would ask anyone who saw what happened or has any information about the offender and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us urgently.
‘The beach has been cordoned off to enable officers to conduct a thorough investigation of the scene. I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while this vital work takes place.
‘Members of the public will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be approached with any concerns.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, via email [email protected] or by calling 101, quoting incident number 24:707.
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.