‘Complete shock’ after 15-year-old Holly Olivia stabbed to death in ‘Britain’s happiest place’

THE stabbing death of a 15-year-old girl on Friday night has sent shockwaves through a town dubbed "Britain's happiest place".

Heartfelt tributes have poured in following the death of the teenager, named locally as Holly Olivia, as a 16-year-old boy remains in custody on suspicion of murder.

Holly, whose surname has not been revealed, and another boy, 16, were both knifed in the Priestpopple area Hexham, Northumberland, shortly after 5pm yesterday.

Derek Kennedy, mayor of Hexham, said: "It's an absolute tragedy, the town is in complete shock, to lose one of our children who attends a local high school is just horrendous.

"Parents are really anxious for the health of their children because they're all a part of this community, the schools are all really anxious that their children are really feeling the pain and suffering and shock of such an awful incident.

"In the Hexham community we have a very low crime rate, generally, it's a community that looks after one another, we were awarded the happiest place to live in Great Britain last year.

"It's a very warm and loving community so for a tragedy such as this to happen, we always find it much more difficult and it's knocked everyone for six.

"To happen to such a young person and the alleged perpetrator to be a young person, in the high street at 5pm, is just shocking, everyone is just shocked and struggling to come to terms with it, it will ruin so many lives."

A GoFundMe page to raise money in Holly's memory has been set up.

It names her only as Holly Olivia.

The page reads: "As many of you are aware, sadly Holly lost her life yesterday to knife crime.

"We are trying to raise as much funds as possible to help to take the stress away from the family at this sad time.

"Holly was a beautiful 15-year-old that loved dancing and will be sadly missed."

On Saturday night £2,400 of the £3,000 goal had been raised.

The 16-year-old boy with Holly also suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

An investigation was immediately launched, and another 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

He remains in police custody at this time.

Emotional tributes to the girl were left at the scene.

Flowers and messages were placed on the ground near the site of the suspected attack.

One mourner wrote: "All our love to the most beautiful girl in the world. We will miss you forever Holly."

Another heartbreaking card read: "Lots of love Holly. The best big sister in the world."

Meanwhile, a third devastated loved one said: "To our baby Holly. Our hearts hurt so much right now. We love you so much."

Other tributes included one which said the young girl was "taken too soon".

At a press conference today, Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison, Area Commander for Northumberland and North Tyneside, of Northumbria Police, said: "First and foremost, our hearts go out to her loved ones at this truly devastating time.

"A 16-year-old boy who was also injured during the incident remains in hospital in a stable condition.

"He and his family are also very much in our thoughts.

"An investigation was immediately launched and while this is at the very early stages, we do believe all those involved are known to each other.

"We would like to thank the public for their continued support and co-operation.

"In particular, those who tried to provide assistance yesterday to the injured boy and girl at the scene."

The Chief Superintendent previously said: "A teenage girl has sadly died, leaving her family completely devastated beyond words.

"Another boy has also been seriously injured.

“We are determined to find out exactly what happened and bring anyone involved to justice.

"A full investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

“We have arrested a teenager in relation to the incident and officers remain in the area to carry out a range of enquiries and offer reassurance to the community.

“While our investigation is at an early stage, we do believe all those involved are known to each other."

She added: “We would like to thank the public for their continued support and cooperation and would ask people not to speculate on details of the investigation.