UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Police have launched a murder investigation into death of a nine-year-old girl in Weston-super-Mare, as officers secure the scene and inquiries continue.
Officers report that at 6:09 p.m. on Monday, December 15, paramedics called them to a home residence in Lime Close, in the Mead Vale area.
Three minutes later, the first police showed up. The small girl had passed away on the spot.
At 6:19 p.m., a teenage male was taken into custody in Worle on suspicion of murder. He is still being held by the police.
Superintendent Jen Appleford from Avon and Somerset Police said:
“We know the whole of Weston-super-Mare will be distraught and shocked to learn of this utterly dreadful news.
The girl’s family were informed last night of what had happened. It is impossible for us to adequately put into words the pain and anguish they are feeling right now.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to them, and we’ll ensure they receive support from a specially-trained officer.
A criminal investigation is already well underway to establish the facts of this case. The formal identification process has not yet been completed, and a post-mortem examination will also be conducted.
Out of respect for the family we’d please ask people not to speculate on the circumstances, or the identities of those involved, because that will only add to their enormous distress.”
A police cordon is still in place on Lime Close, and preliminary house-to-house investigations have started.
Supt Appleford added:
“We have no doubt the community will come together as one in response to this tragedy.
Enquiries are being carried out at the property as part of our investigation and we’d ask for people’s patience and understanding while that work is undertaken.
We will ensure our officers are available to provide reassurance and support to all. There will be an increased police presence in the area in the coming days, and we urge anyone with concerns to please speak to us, however we’d like to reassure people we are not aware of there being any increased risk to public safety.
We will continue to provide updates to the public as our investigation progresses.”
Have authorities released the victim’s identity or family statement?
Authorities haven’t released the victim’s identity, pending formal identification and a posthumous examination, in line with standard UK procedures to cover the family and disquisition. No family statement has been made public as of December 16, 2025.
Avon and Somerset Police, via Superintendent Jen Appleford, specifically requested the public chorus from enterprise to avoid causing farther torture to the grieving family during this early stage. This aligns with protocols withholding names of child victims in active murder inquiries.
Media outlets like BBC, ITV, and Sky News constantly describe her only as a” nine-years-old girl,” reflecting legal and ethical restrictions under the Youth Justice and Felonious substantiation Act 1999 on relating minors involved in proceedings.
Under the Youth Justice and Felonious substantiation Act 1999( Section 45), automatic obscurity applies to child victims or substantiations in felonious proceedings, proscribing media from publishing related details without court authorization. This statutory protection operates singly of a bespoke court order, which would be explicitly noted if issued.
Supervisor Jen Appleford emphasized non-disclosure to cover the family, with no citation of a publication ban operation. Media constantly cleave to” nine- time-old girl” descriptors, indicating routine safeguards serve amid the active disquisition.
