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Birmingham stabbing: Man held over Christina Edkins attack Birmingham stabbing: Man held over Christina Edkins attack
(35 minutes later)
A man has been arrested after a 16-year-old girl was stabbed to death on a rush-hour bus on one of Birmingham's busiest roads.A man has been arrested after a 16-year-old girl was stabbed to death on a rush-hour bus on one of Birmingham's busiest roads.
Christina Edkins was attacked on the bus on Hagley Road at about 07:40 GMT on her way to school. Christina Edkins was attacked on board the bus on Hagley Road while on her way to Leasowes High School in Halesowen.
West Midlands Police launched a city-wide manhunt to find her attacker. Her head teacher Neil Shaw described her as a "bright and popular student" who was "much loved by staff and students".
A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder near the Morrisons supermarket at Five Ways at about 12:30 GMT. A 22-year-old man was arrested nearby on suspicion of murder.
West Midlands Police said officers had spotted a man who was acting suspiciously who fitted the description of the suspect. West Midlands Police said officers had spotted a man acting suspiciously who fitted the description of the suspect and was arrested after a short chase.
Officers searching 'Support pupils'
They said there had been a short chase on foot before the man was arrested. Det Supt Richard Baker said the teenager's family were "distressed and distraught".
Police dogs and firearms officers have been brought in to help with the search. Counsellors were also being brought in to support pupils and staff at Leasowes High School.
Det Supt Richard Baker said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack. Mr Shaw said: "We are deeply saddened to hear this tragic news and our thoughts and hearts go out to her family and everyone who knew her".
Officers are analysing CCTV footage, including some from on board the bus. Police said they would be checking Christina's profiles on social media websites as part of the investigation, but there was nothing to suggest she was being targeted.
"We believe there were people on board who have not yet come forward," Det Supt Baker added. Christina is understood to have boarded the bus minutes before the attack, which happened at about 07:40 GMT on Thursday.
He said officers were investigating a number of lines of inquiry, but there was nothing immediately to suggest Christina and her attacker were known to each other. Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the stabbing. They added that there was nothing at this stage to suggest the attacker and Christina were known to each other.
Earlier he said every specialist officer in the city had been involved in a "manhunt operation" for the suspect. The 22-year-old suspect was arrested near the Morrisons supermarket at Five Ways at about 12:30 GMT, following a city-wide manhunt.
Another man who was earlier detained in the city centre by police has since been released.
Det Supt Baker said officers were now analysing hours of CCTV footage, including some from on board the bus.
He said he believed there were some passengers who were on board the bus who had not yet come forward.
'Tragic incident'
Officers were patrolling buses and schools across the city on Thursday afternoon to help reassure people.
Police said the murder investigation was still in its "very early stages" and said they did not want to speculate on the motive.Police said the murder investigation was still in its "very early stages" and said they did not want to speculate on the motive.
Christina, who went to Leasowes High School in Halesowen, is understood to have boarded the bus minutes before the attack.
Head teacher Neil Shaw said Christina had been a "bright and popular student" who was "much loved by staff and students".
He added: "We are deeply saddened to hear this tragic news and our thoughts and hearts go out to her family and everyone who knew her.
"The school is working closely with the police and a team of counsellors to provide support to our pupils and staff."
The bus has been taken away from the scene, near the Five Ways junction of the Hagley Road, and the road has reopened.The bus has been taken away from the scene, near the Five Ways junction of the Hagley Road, and the road has reopened.
'Distressed and distraught'
Mr Baker said the teenager's family were "distressed and distraught" at the news.
A man who was earlier detained in the city centre by police has since been released.
A spokesman from National Express West Midlands said: "We can confirm that a tragic incident took place on a number 9 service this morning.A spokesman from National Express West Midlands said: "We can confirm that a tragic incident took place on a number 9 service this morning.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the family of the person involved and we will offer all possible support to the police in their investigation into the matter.""Our thoughts and condolences are with the family of the person involved and we will offer all possible support to the police in their investigation into the matter."
Anyone with information can call police on 0800 096 0095.Anyone with information can call police on 0800 096 0095.
Are you in the area? You can get in touch using the form below:Are you in the area? You can get in touch using the form below: