Ava White
© Trinity RC Primary School/PAAva White aged 10 on a trip to north Wales. She has been described as a bubbly character who was ‘so loving and caring’.
A teenager has been charged with the murder of a 12-year-old girl in Liverpool city centre, police have said.

Ava White had been in the city with friends on Thursday after the switching on of Christmas lights when she suffered "catastrophic injuries" in an assault at 8.39pm, Merseyside police said.

A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has now been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.

Police said he has been remanded in custody to appear at a court on Monday.

Three other boys aged between 13 and 15, who were also arrested, have been conditionally bailed as inquiries continue.

Ava, who has been described as popular and bright, was involved in a "verbal argument" which escalated into an "assault on her with a knife", police said.

The force said the offenders ran off up School Lane, across Hanover Street and into Fleet Street after the incident took place.

Ava was taken to Alder Hey children's hospital after paramedics arrived but died a short time later.

On Friday, flowers were being laid on Church Street in tribute to the Notre Dame Catholic college pupil, as forensics officers and police searched the scene.

A balloon was left by 17-year-old Lacey, who did not want to give her surname, who said her younger sister had been close friends with Ava. She said: "She was just a bubbly character, so loving and caring. She came out with her friends to enjoy herself and I think it's just wrong that this has happened."

Her headteacher, Peter Duffy, said: "She was an incredibly popular girl with a fantastic group of friends."

On Saturday, police issued an image of a van that may have been occupied by key witnesses to the killing.

Det Supt Sue Coombs said: "We're continuing to support Ava's family and they have requested that their privacy continues to be respected at this difficult time.

"It's also vitally important as we continue the investigation that nobody posts comments or names on social media which could potentially impact upon us getting justice for Ava's family.

"Please trust us that we are doing all we can to investigate and update people on this tragic incident, and we do not want anything to jeopardise this."

Ms Coombs urged anyone who captured the incident or its aftermath to send images or footage to the force online at: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/05MP21M43-PO1.