Police launch murder probe after girl found dead at home in ‘peaceful’ Cotswold village
Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a girl in a picture-postcard Cotswold village.
Officers were called to a property on Middle Street in Islip, north of Oxford, yesterday.
While a large number of police teams were dispatched to the scene this morning, a cordon was established at the property. A judicial tent was also set up.
Police said the girl’s relatives had been informed and were being supported by specially trained police officers.
His age has not yet been confirmed by Thames Valley Police.
In a statement, police said: ‘Thames Valley Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a girl at an address in Middle Street, Islip.
‘The girl’s relatives have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
‘There is a crime scene at the address and there will be an increased police presence in the area whilst we investigate.’
Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a girl in a picture-postcard Cotswold village. Photo shows police cordon at home in Islip today
The girl’s body was found at an address on Islip’s Middle Street yesterday (pictured)
Village parish council chairman Dennis Price said he saw several police cars as well as an ambulance and a minibus.
He said of the family affected: ‘I think they’ve been there for a short time.’
He said: ‘We are a very peaceful society and we do not expect this kind of thing.
‘The only time we saw this many official vehicles was JD.Vance. [US Vice President] I made it.”
A 68-year-old local woman was horrified to hear the news.
‘God,’ he said, ‘this is truly terrible.’
He has lived in Islip for two years and said the area has a “strong sense of community.”
‘People came and asked for any CCTV footage,’ he said, ‘but we don’t have any.’
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Sally Spencer added: ‘Firstly I would like to share our condolences to the family of the girl who died so sadly today.
Thames Valley Police continue their investigation into the death of a girl in an Oxfordshire village
‘We have launched a murder investigation but we are still in its early stages and will provide further details as soon as possible.
‘We recognize that this investigation will be concerning to the public, but we believe this incident must be contained and we are not aware of any threat to the wider public at this time.
‘Anyone with information about the death or who has images from Middle Street today should call 101 or report via our website using reference number 43250537456.’
