A 15-year-old schoolboy has been stabbed to death at a Guildford beauty spot as detectives hunt for a culprit as part of a ‘fast-moving investigation’.
Police this morning launched a murder investigation after the knife attack unfolded last night at 6.10pm in woodland off Lido Road in Stoke Park.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services and members of the public, the boy, aged 15, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Now, Surrey and Sussex Police major crime team has launched a hunt to find the boy’s killer, appealing for witnesses as no arrests have been made.
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Detective Chief Superintendent Debbie White called on witnesses to come forward ‘as a matter of urgency’.
‘We appreciate that this incident will have caused shock and concern amongst our local communities, and we want to reassure you that we are working at pace to establish the circumstances of the boy’s death, gather as much evidence as possible and identify those responsible,’ she said.
‘Although the circumstances of the boy’s death are not clear at this time, this is a fast-moving investigation, and we are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.
‘We would ask that people don’t speculate about what might have happened while we work through these inquiries.
Police were called to reports of a stabbing in woodland off Lido Road in Stoke Park, around 6.10pm on Monday
Forensics are at the scene as Surrey and Sussex Police major crime team has launched a hunt to find the boy’s killer
A police cordon remains in place around the wooded area known as Peacock Wood and Wild Wood Adventure
No arrests have been made as police have launched a murder investigation following the teenage boy’s death
Forensic officers at the scene of a knife attack in Guildford that has left a teenage boy dead
Despite the best efforts of emergency services and members of the public, the boy, whose age has not been given, was pronounced dead at the scene
‘A police cordon remains in place, and we respectfully ask that people stay away from the area while we carry out our investigation.
‘A significant police presence will remain in the area for some time.’
A police cordon remains in place around the wooded area known as Peacock Wood and Wild Wood Adventure, and at the end of the car park in Lido Road.
One local woman, who has lived in Guildford for around 25 years and regularly walks her dog in the area at night, said the incident was ‘very alarming’.
‘It’s absolutely terrible,’ she said. ‘I’ve never heard of anything like this happening in Guildford – particularly in this area.
‘It’s just awful. I walk in this park in the evening, even later than 6pm, so it’s very alarming as well.
‘It’s horrible. I hope the murderer will be caught.’
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Andy Jenkins added that officers are ‘working around the clock to establish the circumstances of this tragic incident’.
He said: ‘First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at this desperately sad time.
‘I know there will be a lot of concern and speculation in the local community following the events of last night.
‘I would like to reassure them that our officers are working around the clock to establish the circumstances of this tragic incident, gather as much evidence as possible, and identify and bring those responsible to justice.
‘Our investigation is still in its early stages, and we are urgently looking to speak to anyone with any information that may assist our enquiries.
‘Were you in the area around Lido Road, Parkway, and Stoke Park between 6pm and 6.20pm on Monday 19 January?
‘Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area or running from the woods around this time? Any piece of information you have, no matter how small, could be significant.’
Anyone with information can contact Surrey Police quoting the reference PR/45260006995 by calling 101 or online, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.