A teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a nine-year-old girl in Weston-super-Mare, police have said.
Officers were called by paramedics to a property in the North Somerset town just after 6pm on Monday, Avon and Somerset police said.
The first officer arrived at the scene at 6.12pm and a teenage boy was arrested in nearby Worle at 6.19pm. He remains in custody.
Supt Jen Appleford said on Tuesday: “We know the whole of Weston-super-Mare will be distraught and shocked to learn of this utterly dreadful news.
“The girl’s family were informed last night of what had happened. It is impossible for us to adequately put into words the pain and anguish they are feeling right now.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to them, and we’ll ensure they receive support from a specially trained officer.
“A criminal investigation is already well under way to establish the facts of this case. The formal identification process has not yet been completed, and a postmortem examination will also be conducted.”
A police cordon remained in place in Lime Close at the property while the police investigation continued and house-to-house inquiries took place.
Appleford added: “We have no doubt the community will come together as one in response to this tragedy.
“Inquiries are being carried out at the property as part of our investigation and we’d ask for people’s patience and understanding while that work is undertaken.
“We will ensure our officers are available to provide reassurance and support to all. There will be an increased police presence in the area in the coming days, and we urge anyone with concerns to please speak to us.
“However, we’d like to reassure people we are not aware of there being any increased risk to public safety.”
The leader of North Somerset council, Mike Bell, said: “I am shocked and saddened by this incident at a home in the Mead Vale area yesterday. My thoughts are with all those affected, particularly the family and friends of the girl who has lost her life.
“An arrest has been made, police investigations are live and the community will, I am sure, pull together to support each other at this difficult time.”
Glynis Field, who lives nearby, described the heavy emergency services response on Monday night. “All I heard was the sirens, police sirens, the amount of the police at the back. I’ve never seen so many police cars in all my life, and ambulances, armed police,” Field said.
“Forty-nine years we’ve lived here, and to think that’s right on our doorstep … it’s awful, terrible, absolutely terrible.”
