03/06/2008

Suspect Quizzed As London Stab Victim Named

Police have named the young girl who was stabbed to death in south London.

Arsema Dawit, who had only turned 15 on Friday, suffered multiple stab wounds resulting in her death.

Arsema was found badly wounded by a mother and her daughter (aged 8) in a lift at Matheson House, Bayliss Road, Waterloo, on Monday at around 3.45pm.

However, a spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said that emergency services were unable to save the young girl.

A man, believed to be in his 30s, was arrested nearby and is being quizzed by detectives over the death.

Police are not thought to believe that the death was gang-related.

Arsema, who is of Somalian origin attended the Harris Academy in Bermondsey.

A spokesman for the academy said that Arsema "was a popular, friendly and well-behaved student, with much to contribute to the school" and that "thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends".

The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith is reported to have said the killing was "desperately awful".

It is believed that Arsema is the 16th teenager to die as a result of violent crime in the capital this year.

The government has invested £3 million in a hard-hitting campaign to combat knife crime that will run for the next three years.

See: Government To Tackle Knife Crime With Shocking Images

(DS)


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