Bournemouth beach stabbings: Manhunt after woman dies on Durley Chine beach

A boy, 17, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed to death on a Blue Flag award-winning beach in Bournemouth.

Dorset Police said they were called to reports two women, both from Poole, had been stabbed on Durley Chine Beach at around 11.45pm on Friday.

A 34-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene while a 38-year-old was taken to hospital with very serious injuries.

On Saturday lunchtime the force said a 17-year-old boy from Lancashire was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Detective Superintendent Richard Dixey said: “We have worked tirelessly throughout the night since the initial report and have been able to progress our investigation.

“Foremost, our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the woman who very tragically lost her life.

“Officers are continuing with their inquiries and a cordon remains in place and is likely to remain so for some time.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forwards.

They are asked to contact Dorset Police on their website or by calling 101, quoting incident number 24:707. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

Here is Dorset Police’s statement in full:

A murder investigation has been launched by detectives following the death of a woman in Bournemouth. At 11.42pm on Friday 24 May 2024, Dorset Police received a report that two people had been stabbed on Durley Chine Beach.

Very sadly, a 34-year-old woman from Poole was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified. A 38-year-old woman from Poole was taken to hospital with very serious injuries and her next of kin are aware.

Superintendent Gavin House, of Dorset Police, said: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the woman who very tragically lost her life. Officers are searching the area, but no arrests have been made at this time. A full and detailed investigation is underway.

“I would ask anyone who saw what happened or has any information about the offender and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us urgently.

“The beach has been cordoned off to enable officers to conduct a thorough investigation of the scene. I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while this vital work takes place.

“Members of the public will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be approached with any concerns.”

Local Tory MP Conor Burns has said he is “awaiting further updates from the police on the ghastly stabbing”, which involved “a tragic death”.

He added: “Important to remember that these events are headline because they are thankfully still rare locally.”

Thousands of people would have been expected to visit the Blue Flag-awarded Durley Chine Beach today, as temperatures are set to approach 20C under blue skies.

However a large cordon remains in place and police are reportedly turning would-be visitors away.

Residents in Bournemouth have expressed their concerns that the perpetrator of the double stabbing on Durley Chine Beach remains at large.

“It’s worrying to think that they still haven’t found the person and they’re out there somewhere,” a man visiting the town for work told the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

Another couple from Bournemouth told the outlet: “We were walking through the gardens and you don’t know if the person is still here. It does not shed a good light on Bournemouth.”

A total of 98 people have suffered injuries as a result of knife crime in Dorset over the past six months, a freedom of information request to Dorset Police revealed last week.

Dorset police and crime commissioner David Sidwick said in November that the county had the second-lowest rate of knife crime in England and Wales, citing inspectorate data covering the 12 months to December 2022.

Cordons will be in place and affected businesses closed for at least the entirety of the weekend, reports Hannah Knight of Bournemouth Echo.

Dorset Police said there would be an increased number of officers patrolling the area of the double stabbing in the coming days.

“Members of the public will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be approached with any concerns,” the force said.