A teenage girl and two other people have been arrested after an 18-year-old woman was fatally stabbed near Newcastle, Northumbria Police said on Friday.

Samantha Madgin, who media reports said was the mother of a young baby, died after being stabbed during a disturbance in a back lane in Wallsend just before midnight on Thursday.

Detectives have arrested a 15-year-old girl, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s on suspicion of murder. Further arrests are also expected, police said.

"I'd like to reassure the local community around Wallsend and particularly the town centre that although this is a very serious crime this is certainly not common for the area," local commander Chief Superintendent Steve Storey said.

Neighbours described Madgin's death as a tragedy.

"She was a really nice young girl with nice manners and was a pleasure to know," a neighbour told Sky News.

"She seemed to be looking forward to being a mum and was overjoyed when she was."