A 21-year-old woman has been stabbed to death in an alleyway in west London in what police are calling a “truly shocking incident”.
She “suffered a number of stab injuries” and was pronounced dead at the scene off Church Gardens in South Ealing, officers said.
Emergency services, including London’s Air Ambulance, were called not long after midnight on Tuesday.
A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody.
Police are “confident” they know the victim’s identity and are “in the process” of informing her family.
A crime scene remains in place and a post-mortem examination will be carried out.
“This is a truly shocking incident which will understandably cause significant concern among the local community and Londoners as a whole,” said Commander Sean Wilson.
“Violence of any kind, but particularly against women and girls, has a profound impact on communities.”
Commander Wilson added that a team of “specialist homicide detectives” were investigating and they will “use their skills and experience to ensure that whoever is responsible is brought to justice”.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 77/17May. They can remain anonymous by ringing Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
