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Birmingham stabbing: Girl killed on Hagley Road bus Birmingham stabbing: Man held over Christina Edkins Hagley Road attack
(35 minutes later)
A city-wide manhunt is under way 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.
Police are looking for a black male in his late teens or early 20s in dark clothing after the attack on the Hagley Road at 07:40 GMT. Christina Edkins was attacked on the bus on Hagley Road at about 07:40 GMT on her way to school.
He was thought to be wearing a jacket with a logo, possibly a tiger design, and holding a white carrier bag. West Midlands Police launched a city-wide manhunt to find her attacker.
Officers believe the girl was on her way to school when she was stabbed. The force said a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder a "short while ago" near the Morrisons supermarket at Five Ways.
Det Supt Richard Baker urged anyone who saw the man, who was believed to be wearing dark jeans, a dark hooded top and possibly a white bandage on one hand, not to approach him but to call 999. Earlier Det Supt Richard Baker said every specialist officer in the city was involved in a "manhunt operation" for the suspect.
He added: "We have officers ready to respond immediately to sightings. He said officers were pursuing the possibility that the attacker was known to the girl but said the murder investigation was still in its "very early stages" and said they did not want to speculate on the motive.
"I am confident that we will catch the individual responsible for this, but I am asking the public to be vigilant, to keep your eyes out within the Birmingham area and to please contact the police if you see anybody that you think fits the description." Christina, who went to Leasowes High School in Halesowen, is understood to have boarded the bus minutes before the attack.
Mr Baker said every specialist officer in the city was involved in a "manhunt operation" for the suspect. Head teacher Neil Shaw said Christina had been a "bright and popular student" who was "much loved by staff and students".
The officer said officers were pursuing the possibility the attacker was known to the girl but said the murder investigation was still in its "very early stages" and said they did not want to speculate on the motive. 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 girl is understood to have boarded the bus minutes before the attack. "The school is working closely with the police and a team of counsellors to provide support to our pupils and staff."
The bus has now 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''Distressed and distraught'
Mr Baker said the girl's family were "distressed and distraught" at the news. Mr Baker said the teenager's family were "distressed and distraught" at the news.
Officers said they were examining all CCTV in the area and police dogs and firearms officers were brought in to help search for the knifeman. Officers said they were examining all CCTV in the area and police dogs and firearms officers were brought in to help search for the attacker.
A man who was earlier detained in the city centre by police has since been released.A man who was earlier detained in the city centre by police has since been released.
Earlier, drivers reported traffic queues of about five miles backing up from Five Ways to where the Hagley Road meets the M5 at junction three.Earlier, drivers reported traffic queues of about five miles backing up from Five Ways to where the Hagley Road meets the M5 at junction three.
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: