Police have launched a murder probe 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.
This morning a heavy police presence remained at the scene and a cordon has been put in place at the property. A forensic tent has also been set up.
The girl’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers, police said.
Her age has not yet been confirmed by Thames Valley Police.
In a statement, the force said: ‘Thames Valley Police has launched a homicide investigation following the death of a girl at an address in Middle Street, Islip.
‘The girl’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
‘A crime scene is in place at the address and there will be an increased police presence in the area while we investigate.’
Police have launched a murder probe following the death of a girl in a picture-postcard Cotswold village. Photo shows the police cordon at the house in Islip today
The girl’s body was found at an address on Middle Street in Islip (pictured) yesterday
The chair of the village parish council, Dennis Price, said he saw multiple police cars, as well as an ambulance and a van.
Of the impacted family, he said: ‘I think they have only been there a short time.’
He said: ‘We are a very peaceful community, and we do not expect this sort of thing.
‘The only time we saw as many official vehicles was when JD.Vance [US Vice President] came through.’
A 68-year-old local woman was appalled to hear the news.
‘Goodness me,’ she said, ‘that’s really ghastly’.
She 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,’ she said, ‘but we do not have any’.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Sally Spencer added: ‘Firstly, I would like to share our condolences with the family of the girl who very sadly has died today.
Thames Valley Police are continuing their investigation into the death of a girl in an Oxfordshire village
‘We have launched a homicide investigation, but we are still in the early stages and will provide more details as soon as we are able to.
‘We understand this investigation will be concerning for the community, but we believe this incident to be contained and are not aware of any threat to the wider public at this time.
‘Anyone with information about the death or has footage from Middle Street today should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43250537456.’
