Girl, 15, found stabbed to death

The teenager's body was found in the lift by a resident in the block

A 15-year-old girl has been found stabbed to death on a housing estate in south-east London.

The girl, who suffered multiple wounds, was found in a lift at Matheson Lang House on Baylis Road, in Lambeth, at about 1545 BST.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said their crew arrived at the scene in under four minutes but failed to resuscitate the teenager.

A man, aged in his 30s, has been arrested over the teenager's stabbing.

Police said they did not believe the incident was gang-related.

The girl, who was pronounced dead at the scene, is the 16th teenager to be fatally attacked in London since January.

A woman and her child were returning home and called the lift when they found the girl's body inside, a BBC reporter at the scene said.

The Metropolitan Police have begun a murder inquiry and the area has been cordoned off. The girl's next-of-kin have been informed.

A police statement said: "On attendance we found a girl in a lift suffering from a number of stab wounds.

"We are keeping an open mind about motive at this early stage. However, it is not believed to be gang-related."

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We sent a fast response car, an ambulance, the air ambulance and an officer to the scene, the first of which arrived in under four minutes.

"Sadly, despite extensive efforts to resuscitate the patient, she was pronounced dead at the scene."

Sharon Moore, who lives in the block said residents were given security fobs on Friday.

She said: "You think you are fine once you are in the building, this is the last thing you expect... I'm extremely shocked because once I'm in the door and I get in I think I am safe."

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