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 in the popular Dorset seaside resort 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 investigations, a 17-year-old boy from Lancashire has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Chief Inspector Richard Dixey, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “We have worked tirelessly throughout the night since the first report and have been able to continue our investigation.
“First and foremost, our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the woman who very tragically lost her life. Officers are continuing their investigation and a cordon remains in place, and is likely to remain so for some time.
A look at a sample of blood found near a groyne on Bournemouth beach where two women were stabbed last night
Police were called to the incident at Durley Chine Beach in the popular Dorset seaside town at 11.42pm last night
“I would like to renew my appeal for anyone who has information and has not yet spoken to officers to contact us.
'I would particularly like to hear from anyone who was near Durley Chine beach between 10pm and midnight on Friday 24 May 2004 and saw anything unusual. Information for this case can be uploaded via our dedicated public major incident portal.
'The public will see an increased police presence in the area in the coming days and officers from the local community policing team can be contacted with any concerns.'
Aerial photographs show in one photo what appeared to be a large spot of blood near a groyne.
PPolice have cordoned off a one-mile stretch of beach, from west of the pier to Alum Chine.
As a result, the beach on the other side of the pier quickly fills up as officers direct revelers towards it.
All businesses within the cordon, including Bournemouth Oceanarium and several restaurants and beach bars, remain closed while the investigation continues.
BCP Council tweeted: 'Due to an ongoing police investigation, a police cordon remains in place between Bournemouth Oceanarium and the western side of Alum Chine.
The double stabbing took place at Durley Chine Beach
'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 about entering Bournemouth because she was a woman alone. She added that knife crime was not punished severely enough.
Another couple said: 'We came all the way from Bethnal Green to find a stabbing in sunny Bournemouth.'
Ali Townsend, 50, a marketing director who is on holiday from Cheltenham with her husband and son, said the plan is to rent a beach hut within the cordon this weekend.
She said: 'It's just incredibly tragic that a young woman has died and another woman is fighting for her life.
'We are staying near where it happened, at Alum Chine, and wanted to go for a walk last night but decided not to.
“I'm not afraid of the increased police presence, but something like this does put things into perspective.”
Local MP Sir Conor Burns expressed his horror at the 'tragic, brutal' incident.
He said: “Another tragic, brutal event at the scene.
Two police officers walk along a stretch of Bournemouth coast and follow the tragedy
“You will want to reassure the public that one of the reasons these events are still so newsworthy is that they are still so relatively rare.
“We want to hear from the police quickly what they think and hope that this is an isolated, random act of violence, as these types of things often are.”
The violent attacks took place on Durley Chine beach, a few hundred meters west of a Harvester restaurant.
From midnight last night, helicopters could be seen circling overhead as the manhunt began.
This morning there are two forensic vans parked on the promenade and a team of forensic officers are searching that part of the beach.
There is also an ambulance on the promenade and police officers are stationed on the cliff to prevent holidaymakers from reaching the beach via the zigzag steps.
Durley Chine, a 15-minute walk west of Bournemouth Pier, is a favorite spot for families as it is normally quieter and less noisy than the pier beach.
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 60 degree Celsius sunshine.
A holidaymaker on the cliff said: 'This is such a beautiful place. What happened breaks my heart.”
People took to social media to express their horror at the stabbings, the latest in a series of serious crimes to have taken place on Bournemouth beach in recent years.
Tina-Jayne Smith said: 'Absolutely shocking, what is happening to our city? Our 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 appalling. Where the hell is this world going?!!!! I fear for the future of our children.
“Love and thoughts go out to the families and prayers for the lady in the hospital.”
Chief Inspector 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 being conducted.
'I would ask anyone who saw what happened or has information about the perpetrator and has not yet spoken to officers to contact us urgently.
'The beach has been cordoned off so that officers can conduct a thorough investigation on site. I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while this vital work takes place.
'The public will see an increased police presence in the area in the coming days and officers from the local community policing team can be contacted with any concerns.'
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, by email [email protected] or by calling 101, at mentioning incident number 24:707.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555 111.