Sussex Police is quizzing a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murdering Jacob Woudstra, 17, who was found stabbed to death near a pub in East Sussex yesterday afternoon.

The 17-year-old was stabbed with a knife twice in the chest near the Shah pub on Mount Pleasant Road in Hastings, East Sussex, at around 3:20 pm. Police officials confirmed that the teenager died shortly after being stabbed, although paramedics fought to save the boy.

After emergency services were called to the scene, Sussex Police sealed off the street and surrounding areas while inquiries were being carried out. The Police arrested a 31-year-old suspect from the nearby town of Rye and said the stabbing did not appear to be a random attack.

“This is a tragic incident and one that has shocked the local community. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, who understandably are devastated by the events of this afternoon”, said Superintendent of Sussex Police, Trevor Botting.

“It is too early to speculate as to the circumstances of this tragedy, although early indications are that this was not a random attack. Our job now is to gather as much information as we can to build up a picture of what happened and to identify those responsible,” added Botting.

He urged anyone with information about the stabbing to come forward, saying “We need the public’s help to do this and would urge anyone who thinks they have information but has not yet contacted police to do so as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101, quoting Operation Chinook or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.

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