A 26-year-old man remains in custody after a woman was stabbed to death in Crawley.

A murder investigation was launched this morning after a woman died in a car park shortly after an alleged altercation with a man.

Paramedics treated the woman at the scene but she was pronounced dead.

Sussex Police are still working to trace the family of the woman.

Officers were called shortly after 7am to Station Way, near Crawley train station, after reports of an altercation between the woman and a man.

When they arrived officers tracked the woman to a nearby car park where she was found with stab injuries.

She was treated by paramedics, but was sadly confirmed dead at the scene. 

Forensic teams remained on the scene after closing off Station Way and nearby roads including Friary Way.

Forensic teams in Friary Way, CrawleyForensic teams in Friary Way, Crawley (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

A forensic tent was set up near Crawley train station while officers scoured the area for evidence.

A police dog was also used to try and assist the investigation.

Officers also cordoned off an alleyway between Station Way and the car park and guarded the railway bridge over the tracks.

The 26-year-old suspect, from Crawley, was located after a search of the wider are and was arrested on suspicion of murder in Stephenson Way near Three Bridges train station. He remains in custody.

Sussex Police Superintendent Rachel Swinney said: “This is a tragic incident that has seen a young woman lose her life, and we are working hard to understand exactly what has happened.

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“Officers were able to swiftly bring a suspect into custody and we are not currently searching for anyone else.

“There will now be an increased police presence in what is a busy area of Crawley as we carry out our enquiries. I would urge anyone with any concerns to please speak to an officer at the scene.

“Similarly, anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information that could help is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Venn.”