Police appeal to Lucy's friends to help solve her murder

New photograph of Lucy McHugh at school released by police Credit: Hampshire Police

  • Watch the full report by Richard Jones below

As the schools reopen for the next academic year, detectives investigating the murder of Lucy McHugh in Southampton in July are appealing for her friends to come forward with any information which may help them solve the crime.

Detectives said that if she had still been alive, Lucy McHugh, or Lucy White as she is known would have returned to school today.

Special assemblies will take place at Redbridge Community School, where Lucy was a pupil, to encourage Lucy's schoolmates to pass on any extra information they may have.

Police officers are still searching for the weapon used by the person or people responsible.

Last week officers asked for anyone who had seen a cyclist near Southampton Sports Centre on Wednesday 25th July, the last day Lucy was seen alive, to come forward.

The man was wearing a dark jacket and blue jeans.

He was riding a dark mountain bike from the Sports Centre along Coxford Road or possibly near the new search area close to Tanner's Brook.

Officers are asking anyone with information to contact them immediately.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting Operation Refund.

You can also make a report and contact the police online.

The Crimestoppers charity is offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for Lucy's murder.