Woman is stabbed to death outside former Victorian mental hospital as man is arrested on suspicion of murder
- Victim was attacked on wasteland in Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk
- The suspect was arrested more than 120 miles away in the Warwickshire area
- An area around an abandoned black bicycle was also cordoned off by police
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was stabbed to death beside the ruins of an old Victorian mental hospital.
The victim is thought to have been attacked on wasteland next to the derelict remains of St Andrew’s Hospital in Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk.
Police were called at around 12.45pm on Friday to reports that a woman had been found with serious injuries.
Paramedics battled to save her life after emergency services, including an air ambulance attended, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim is thought to have been attacked on wasteland next to the derelict remains of St Andrew’s Hospital in Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk
An officer sets up a cordon, pictured left and right, following the attack at around 12.45pm on Friday
Police cordoned off a separate area around 200 yards away around a black bicycle abandoned at the side of a road leading to the old hospital site
The suspect was arrested more than 120 miles away in the Warwickshire area at around 4pm.
He is being brought back to Norfolk for questioning.
The scene was cordoned off as forensic officers in white suits began a search for clues.
Police cordoned off a separate area around 200 yards away around a black bicycle abandoned at the side of a road leading to the old hospital site.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Gray, from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Unit, said: ‘A number of police resources, including armed units and a helicopter, were deployed to the scene to help in the search for the suspect.
‘Following enquiries, a man was arrested in connection with the incident at about 4pm and will be questioned on suspicion of murder.
‘The victim and suspect are known to one another and I would like to hear from anyone who may witnessed the incident or has information concerning it.’
The derelict hospital site is next door to the current Northside House mental health clinic run by the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust.
But sources suggested that the killing of the woman was not linked to the clinic.
The St Andrew’s Hospital which was originally known as the Norfolk County Asylum dates back to the early 19th century.
Police, pictured at the scene, arrested a suspect more than 120 miles away in the Warwickshire area at around 4pm
The site was closed as an NHS hospital in April 1998 and some of the original grade II listed buildings from 1814 on the south of the site were later converted into private housing.
The main building St Andrews House was used as offices by the Norfolk Primary Care Trust until 2007, but later put up for sale in January 2011
Plans have been mooted to turn the site into a business park, but it has been left to slowly decay in recent years.
The area is close to the St Andrew’s Business Park and next to the print works of the Archant local newspaper group.
It is a popular spot for joggers and dog walkers.
The main derelict redbrick building has also been targeted in recent years by urban explorers looking around inside.
Anyone with information should contact the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team on 101.