Boy arrested in drug death inquiry

Police investigating the suspected drug death of a 15-year-old girl in Liverpool have made an arrest.

Rose Farley  fell ill at a birthday party on Friday evening and was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital where she died just after 5am yesterday.

A 16-year-old boy from Liverpool has been arrested by officers from Merseyside Police on suspicion of supplying drugs.

Miss Farley , from the West Derby area of the city, had been to the party but returned home after becoming ill before she was taken to hospital.

Her death comes amid reports her drinks may have been spiked at the party and just days after Merseyside Police warned youngsters of a deadly ecstasy-type drug circulating in the area.

A spokeswoman for the force said Miss Farley 's death is still being treated as "unexplained" and although a post mortem examination had been carried out, the cause of her death has been withheld pending toxicology results.

A statement from Merseyside Police said: "A 16-year-old man from the L5 area has also been arrested on suspicion of supplying controlled substances as part of the ongoing investigation.

"He is currently in police custody and being questioned by officers."

Detective Superintendent Tim Keelan of Merseyside Police said: "At this stage it is too early to draw conclusions about the cause of death and it is unhelpful to speculate.

"The implication that this may be drug related is just one of the lines of inquiry that our comprehensive investigation is looking at.

"That said, I would like to take this opportunity to warn people about the dangers of taking illegal substances.

"The effects of drugs are not always immediately apparent or can be delayed.

"This can sometimes result in people taking more in order to speed up the effects. This can have devastating results, one of which can be death."

The force had warned of a potentially killer new drug on the streets in the form of pink pills, known as pink ecstasy, Dr Death or Pink McDonalds - because the pills are embossed with an M.

The warning was issued following the sudden deaths of two men in 24 hours in Cambridgeshire earlier this week. A man also died in similar circumstances in Bournemouth, Dorset, on May 21.

Emergency workers were called to Miss Farley 's home in the West Derby area of the city during the early hours of yesterday morning.

Reports suggested she had spent the evening at a social club party before being taken ill, and may have had her drink spiked.

More than 4,500 Facebook users have viewed a tribute page set up in her memory.

Paisley Bretherton wrote: "r.i.p rose its so sad what happened to u, u had ur whole life ahead off u my thoughts are with your family xx".

Annemarie Taylor added: "thinking of all the family so so sorry to hear your very sad news r.i.p rose life is just so unfair the whole community is absolutely devastated xxxx"

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 0151 777 4065 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

PA