Newborn baby critically ill after heavily pregnant woman fatally stabbed

Australian Associated Press

A woman who was about eight months pregnant has been stabbed to death and her baby is critically ill after being delivered by paramedics in London.

Medics fought in vain to save the mother after being called to a London home in the middle of the night.

"Her baby was delivered at the scene before being taken to hospital," the capital's Metropolitan Police said in a statement on Saturday (local time).

Forensic bags at the scene at Thornton Heath, Croydon where pregnant woman was fatally stabbed.
Forensic bags at the scene at a London home where a heavily pregnant woman died and her newborn baby was delivered by paramedics. Source: AAP/PA

Police said a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and was in custody.

The newborn remains in hospital in a critical condition, Scotland Yard said.

Reacting to the murder on Twitter, London mayor Sadiq Khan said: "Violence against women is endemic in society and devastating murders in the home, like this one, show the scale of the problem we face.

"My prayers are with this innocent child, and with the mother it has so tragically lost."

Police at the scene in Raymead Avenue, Thornton Heath, Croydon where a woman who was about eight months' pregnant has been stabbed to death and her baby is critically ill in hospital.
Two police officers outside a home at Croydon where the woman who was about eight months' pregnant was stabbed to death. Source: AAP/PA

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, find help by visiting White Ribbon or calling 1800 RESPECT.

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