A murder investigation has been launched after a woman was stabbed to death close to a London shopping centre in a horror attack in broad daylight. Police swooped on Croydon's Frith Road, close to a branch of Subway and a Holiday Inn hotel, after reports of a stabbing at 9.07am on Saturday.

Paramedics and air ambulance crews treated two people for injuries, but a woman in her 20s died at the scene. A man in his 30s, who was taken to hospital with minor injuries, has since been arrested on suspicion of murder. Supt Mitch Carr, who leads local policing in Croydon, said: "This is a tragic incident where a young woman has lost her life and our thoughts are with her loved ones.

"I especially want to thank the members of the public, including a teenage boy, who bravely tried to help the victim.

"We believe this was an isolated incident, but understand that this news will shock the community.

"Officers will remain in the area over the coming days and we would ask anyone who has concerns to speak with them."

The area of Frith Road was cordoned off for most of the day as police investigated the incident.

It happened just yards away from Surrey Street market, where 22-year-old Rijkaard Siafa was stabbed to death on April 12 last year.

Killers David Walcott, 35, and Rammon Mali, 33, went to the nearby Spread Eagle pub after the attack and bought three pints of Guinness. They were jailed for at least 27 years just a few weeks ago.

In September 2023, 15-year-old Elianne Andam was stabbed to death outside Croydon's Whitgift Shopping Centre in a row over a teddy bear.

Hassan Sentamu, then 17, was convicted of her murder and will spend at least 23 years in prison.