Four teenagers arrested on suspicion of murdering 12-year-old girl in Liverpool

Four schoolboys aged between 13 and 15 were being questioned on Friday night on suspicion of murder after a 12-year-old girl was stabbed to death following a petty row at a Christmas lights switching ceremony in Liverpool.

Ava White was at the event with a group of friends when she was attacked just after 8.30pm on Thursday.

Police said that a verbal argument had broken out between children and it had rapidly escalated into violence, with unconfirmed reports that Ava had been stabbed in the neck.

Christmas shoppers who witnessed the attack desperately tried to perform first aid on the Year Eight pupil while waiting for paramedics and police to arrive.

She was rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, but was declared dead a short time later.

Large crowds were in the city centre to see the Christmas lights and numerous people reported seeing four youths fleeing the scene on foot.

Merseyside Police confirmed that four boys, one aged 13, two aged 14 and the oldest aged just 15, were arrested at different locations in the Toxteth area of the city. No weapon has yet been recovered.

On Friday night, tributes were paid to Ava, who was a pupil at Notre Dame Catholic College in Liverpool, where she was described as a “much loved, valued and unique member” of the school’s family.

Peter Duffy, the college’s head teacher, said: “She was an incredibly popular girl with a fantastic group of friends. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Ava’s family and friends and all those affected by this utterly tragic event.”

Rebecca Flynn, the head at Ava’s former school, Trinity RC Primary, added: “We are left with lasting memories of a bright and respectful little girl.”

Ava’s friends, who were with her at the time and who witnessed the attack, were receiving specialist care and counselling on Friday night.

The attack comes less than a fortnight after Liverpool was hit by a terrorist explosion outisde the Women’s Hospital, and the city is once again reeling from an incident of senseless violence.