Bournemouth stabbings – latest: Teenager arrested for ‘murder’ after woman dies on Durley Chine beach

A boy, 17, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed to death on a beach in Bournemouth.

Police were called to reports two women, both from Poole, had been stabbed on Durley Chine Beach at around 11.45pm on Friday.

A 34-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene while a 38-year-old was taken to hospital with very serious injuries.

On Saturday lunchtime the force said a 17-year-old boy from Lancashire was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detective Superintendent Richard Dixey 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 inquiries and a cordon remains in place and is likely to remain so for some time.”

Have you been affected by this? Email andy.gregory@independent.co.uk

Key Points

• Boy arrested on suspicion of murder

• Police statement in full after two women stabbed in Bournemouth

• Mapped: Where is Durley Chine Beach

Boy from Lancashire arrested, police say

14:05 , Andy Gregory

The 17-year-old boy arrested on Saturday is from Lancashire, Dorset Police said.

Where was police cordon in place?

13:42 , Andy Gregory

Bournemouth Council said earlier that a police cordon was in place between the Bournemouth Oceanarium and the Western side of Alum Chine.

The beach, promenade, beach huts, Durley Chine car park, all businesses and access points within the cordon were closed off to the public.

First pictures of police at scene

13:20 , Sam Rkaina

The first images have emerged of police at the scene of the fatal incident on the beach in Bournemouth.

Forensics officers have been spotted leaving markers on the sand after two women were attacked on Friday night.

Appeal for information

13:10 , Sam Rkaina

Anyone with information is asked to submit it to the investigation team via the Major Incident Public Portal page at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/55HQ23N07-PO1.

If you are unable to submit information online, please call 101 quoting occurrence number 55240078013.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

Boy arrested on suspicion of murder

13:07 , Sam Rkaina

A boy, 17, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed to death on a Blue Flag award-winning beach in Bournemouth.

Dorset Police said they were called to reports two women, both from Poole, had been stabbed on Durley Chine Beach at around 11.45pm on Friday.

A 34-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene while a 38-year-old was taken to hospital with very serious injuries.

On Saturday lunchtime the force said a 17-year-old boy from Lancashire was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detective Superintendent Richard Dixey 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 inquiries and a cordon remains in place and is likely to remain so for some time.”

Police appeal for information as suspect at large

12:52 , Andy Gregory

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forwards.

They are asked to contact Dorset Police on their website 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.

Police statement in full after two women stabbed in Bournemouth

12:24 , Andy Gregory

Here is Dorset Police’s statement in full:

A murder investigation has been launched by detectives following the death of a woman in Bournemouth. At 11.42pm on Friday 24 May 2024, Dorset Police received a report that two people had been stabbed on Durley Chine Beach.

Very sadly, a 34-year-old woman from Poole was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified. A 38-year-old woman from Poole was taken to hospital with very serious injuries and her next of kin are aware.

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.”

Tory MP ‘awaiting updates from police’

12:00 , Andy Gregory

Local Tory MP Conor Burns has said he is “awaiting further updates from the police on the ghastly stabbing”, which involved “a tragic death”.

He added: “Important to remember that these events are headline because they are thankfully still rare locally.”

Thousands may have visited beach this weekend

11:41 , Andy Gregory

Thousands of people would have been expected to visit the Blue Flag-awarded Durley Chine Beach today, as temperatures are set to approach 20C under blue skies.

However a large cordon remains in place and police are reportedly turning would-be visitors away.

Mapped: Where is Durley Chine Beach

11:21 , Andy Gregory

Bournemouth residents express worry over perpetrator on the loose

10:57 , Andy Gregory

Residents in Bournemouth have expressed their concerns that the perpetrator of the double stabbing on Durley Chine Beach remains at large.

“It’s worrying to think that they still haven’t found the person and they’re out there somewhere,” a man visiting the town for work told the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

Another couple from Bournemouth told the outlet: “We were walking through the gardens and you don’t know if the person is still here. It does not shed a good light on Bournemouth.”

Nearly 100 people injured by knife crime in Dorset in past six months

10:31 , Andy Gregory

A total of 98 people have suffered injuries as a result of knife crime in Dorset over the past six months, a freedom of information request to Dorset Police revealed last week.

Dorset police and crime commissioner David Sidwick said in November that the county had the second-lowest rate of knife crime in England and Wales, citing inspectorate data covering the 12 months to December 2022.

Cordon in place for whole weekend, reports suggest

10:09 , Andy Gregory

Cordons will be in place and affected businesses closed for at least the entirety of the weekend, reports Hannah Knight of Bournemouth Echo.

Enhanced police presence near Durley Chine Beach in coming days

09:50 , Andy Gregory

Dorset Police said there would be an increased number of officers patrolling the area of the double stabbing in the coming days.

“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,” the force said.

Durley Chine Beach cordoned off

09:16 , Andy Gregory

Durley Chine Beach has been cordoned off following last night’s double stabbing.

Superintendent Gavin House sad: “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.”

Public urged to help with investigation

08:43 , Andy Gregory

Dorset Police have urged members of the public to come forward with any information they may have about the double stabbing on Durley Chine Beach.

“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,” said Superintendent Gavin House.

Manhunt under way after two women stabbed in Bournemouth

08:35 , Andy Gregory

No arrests have yet been made after two women were stabbed on a beach in Bournemouth.

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.”

Two women stabbed on Durley Chine Beach

08:34 , Andy Gregory

Two women from Poole have been stabbed at Durley Chine Beach.

A 34-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after officers were called at 11:42pm on Friday, Dorset Police said. Her next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified.

A 38-year-old woman from Poole was taken to hospital with very serious injuries and her next of kin are aware.

08:32 , Andy Gregory

Good morning, we’ll be using this blog to bring you the latest updates following a double stabbing on Durley Chine Beach in Bournemouth, as a police search gets under way.