Reaction to stabbing of 16-year-old boy in Bournemouth

A teenager has been taken to hospital after a stabbing in the early hours of Friday morning.

Police were called shortly after 3am following reports of a boy with a stab wound in Christchurch Road.

The boy had been located outside the Bosc Vegas store, but it is believed the incident occurred a short time earlier in Walpole Road.

The victim’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A cordon was put in place around Boscombe Crescent and outside Bosc Vegas and neighbouring shop Saffari, whilst officers examined the scene.

An investigation has been launched, with enquiries ongoing to locate the offender, who is believed to be known to the victim.

Read more: 16-year-boy stabbed in early hours incident in Boscombe

Boscombe West ward councillor Jane Kelly described the incident as a “tragedy” and urged anyone with information to help the police with their enquiries.

She told the Daily Echo: “It’s a tragedy and I’m sure the police will be working hard to find out exactly what’s happened here and anyone else with information should of course help.

Police cordon around Boscombe Crescent

“Boscombe does have an unfortunate reputation that precedes any conversation about such incidents which is a shame. I don’t think these terrible incidents happen more prevalently in Boscombe than many other parts of the BCP region – it’s awful no matter where it happens.”

Councillor Lewis Allison said: “I’m once again devastated to learn of another act of senseless violence in Boscombe in the early hours of this morning, my thoughts are with the victim and his family after what must have been a terrifying ordeal and I wish him a full and speedy recovery.

“The rise in levels of anti-social behaviour we are seeing, not only in Boscombe but across Bournemouth is unacceptable and more must be done to tackle the root causes of these crimes.

"I would strongly encourage anyone who may have witnessed anything to get in touch with the police as a matter of urgency and for members of our community to always report any crime they witness to ensure the police can target their resources effectively.

"As a community we must stand together to ensure we learn from these tragic experiences.”