A nine-year-old boy who was killed by a dog at a holiday park has been named by police.

Frankie Macritchie, from Plymouth, was believed to be alone with the “bulldog-type breed” in a holiday caravan before he was found dead in the early hours of Saturday morning while those looking after him were in another unit.

On Sunday, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the boy had been staying at Tencreek Holiday Park in Looe, Cornwall, for a number of days before the attack at around 5am on Saturday.

Detective Superintendent Mike West, from the D&C Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Frankie had been staying at the holiday park in the company of adults for a number of evenings prior to his tragic death.

“We believe that Frankie was alone in a caravan with the dog as he was attacked, whilst that the adults that he was on holiday with, were in an adjacent unit. These two groups of people were all known to each other and all from the Plymouth area.

“This is a desperately sad event which has seen a nine-year-old boy lose his life whilst on holiday; our thoughts and sympathies are with the loved ones of Frankie and all of those who knew him.

“I also wish to recognise those who came to his aid at the scene; members of the public and emergency services staff who had to work in deeply upsetting conditions.”

He added: “We appreciate that this case will shock and upset the public, however, we urge the public not to apportion blame on this tragic incident, and to allow us to do our job and to fully investigate this matter.

“Please do not speculate via social media. There is a good chance that this will be seen by those who knew and loved Frankie and speculation will only lead to further upset.”

Three hours after the attack, police arrested a 28-year-old woman in Plymouth on suspicion of having a dog dangerously out of control and manslaughter, and have since released her under investigation pending further inquiries.

The dog has been seized and remains in kennels in Cornwall.

Tencreek Holiday Park spokesman Henry Joce said on Saturday: “The park will remain open offering normal service. Whilst the investigation is under way, no further statements will be made.”

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