A young woman was mauled to death and another was rushed to hospital after a horror afternoon dog attack as armed police seized eight dogs at the scene.
Surrey Police dispatched armed officers and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) to the scene after receiving reports of a dog attacking people at 2.45pm.
A 28-year-old woman from London was tragically declared dead at the scene and another woman was rushed to hospital with dog bites. A police spokesperson said she has since been discharged.
Police confirmed eight dogs were seized and taken to police custody. It is understood at least one of the dogs unleashed the attack, causing fatal injuries and a huge blood loss. Previous reports said there were seven dogs.
Their owners have been contacted and police are keeping them informed of developments, they said.
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Officers say the victim of the attack is believed to have been walking a "number of dogs" at the time of the incident.
Today roads around the open country area of the attack, were sealed off by police as a large scale probe into the killing of the woman continued.
No arrests have been made at this time
Locals have said that yesterday's attack has left the community "feeling really anxious".
Lesley Hoffley, 62, lives in Weald Way, just yards away from a police sign cornering off the road near where the incident happened.
The part-time copywriter said: "No one seems to know anything and the police haven't been in touch at all. All we know is from what we see on the news.
"We don't know if the young lady was a local. It's hard to say because people come from all over to Gravelly Hill.
"It's a lovely walking spot so there's always cars parked there belonging to people from outside the area. It's got a stunning view of the North Downs.
"We found out about the incident yesterday and it really shocked me and my husband. I've never known it to have a problem with dog attacks before.
"It just doesn't really make any sense. Why are there seven dangerous dogs around there and how did it happen? None of us who live round here have any idea.
"The wording of the police statement also is quite worrying. They say they think they've caught all seven dogs but how can they know?
"It's left the community feeling really anxious and, of course, heartbroken for whoever this young lady was."
Another neighbour in the rural area close to the M25 told The Sun: "It's unbelievable. We've not had too many details about it but everyone has been shaken by the news.
"This could have happened to anyone. All our thoughts are with the girl's family."
Inspector Lyndsey Whatley of Surrey Police said: “This is a tragic incident where a young woman has sadly lost her life and our thoughts are with her family and friends.
“I know that yesterday’s events will be of real concern to the local community and I would like to reassure residents that we are confident all the dogs involved are in the custody of police whilst we investigate the circumstances of what has happened.
"Officers will remain in the area of Gravelly Hill today whilst enquiries continue and if you have any information but have not yet spoken to police then please contact us.”
A police cordon remains in place at Gravelly Hill today/yesterday (FRI) whilst forensic work is carried out.
Officers have erected a black gazebo at the scene, while a number of police vehicles and two red vans - one marked 'Underwater Search Unit' - were spotted behind the cordon.
Chief Inspector Alan Sproston said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who sadly died this afternoon.
“This incident will be concerning to the local community and I would like to reassure them that we believe all dogs have been accounted for and are in police custody.
“Our investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident remains ongoing and we would ask the community not to speculate."
You can contact police quoting PR/45230004384 via webchat on their website, their online reporting tool or calling 101.
If you don’t want to speak to police you can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
At the end of last year, The Mirror demanded new laws on dangerous dogs after our investigation showed a 26% rise in attacks since the pandemic began in 2020.
The death of Ann Dunn, 65, in October was the ninth fatal attack in 2022, making it the deadliest year on record.
After we asked police forces for data on dog attacks, 30 responded to reveal almost 10,000 crimes involving dogs so far this year.
There were 7,790 incidents from January to July in 2020, rising to 9,834 for the same period this year – a 26% increase.
Since the Office for National Statistics began recording fatal dog attacks in 2013, there have never been more than five a year.
It is estimated that there are now 12 million dogs in the UK, two million more than before lockdown.
