Boy aged 13 arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in Bournemouth

Residents, councillors and senior politicians have all been left evidently surprised after a 14-year-old boy was rushed to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition, following the reported stabbing. 

A woman, who lives in Mandale Road and asked to remain anonymous, said: “All I saw was a big group of lads running after a lad who crouched in my drive behind my car and then ran off."

Police and a cordon in Gladdis Road, where the boy was found by officers (Image: Daily Echo)

Police received reports a boy had possibly been stabbed in Mandale Road, West Howe, and officers located a teenager him in a front garden in nearby Gladdis Road with a single stab wound. 

Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West, said the incident was a “sad return to headlines we thought West Howe had put behind”. 

• LIVE: Attempted murder probe launched after boy is stabbed

He told the Echo: “My thoughts and prayers are with the young man who has been stabbed and his family that he has the strength to recover from his injuries.  

“So much progress has been made in this community in the last decade I hope this will serve to strengthen the resolve of local people to support each other.  

Police and a cordon in Gladdis Road, where the boy was found by officers (Image: NQ)

“To pause to reflect - 14 and 13 years old. Children. This shows the absolute need for a zero-tolerance approach to knives on our streets, education in our schools and frankly street policing in our communities.” 

Police were called to the suspected stabbing at 7.11pm on Wednesday, February 24, and cordoned off part of Mandale Road and Gladdis Road. 

Crime scene investigators forensically examine the area and an investigation, led by officers from Bournemouth CID, is underway. 

Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset David Sidwick said: “My thoughts are very much with the family and friends of this young man at this incredibly difficult time.

"This is an ongoing police investigation and therefore I can make no further comment at this time, except to say that should anyone in the community have information, I would encourage them to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting incident number 22:652.”

The boy was alleged to have been stabbed in Mandale Road (Image: Newsquest)

One woman in Gladdis Road said: “I didn’t hear anything last night, it must have been quiet. You don’t hear of this kind of thing happening around here these days. 

“There are a lot of houses around here and a lot of kids running around, you just wouldn’t expect anything like that at that time.” 

Resident Mr Mayfield added: “You don’t expect it around here really – you only hear about stabbings and attempted murders in London, not Bournemouth.” 

Ward councillor Duane Farr said: “It was a shock to hear what has happened and my sympathy goes to the family and close friends to the boy. 

“I understand police are putting in extra patrols to protect people.” 

The 14-year-old boy remains in a critical condition in hospital after the stabbing. @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/YVACxp2Qyk

— Matt Simpson (@MattSimpsonEcho) February 23, 2023

Police have issued an appeal for anyone who saw what happened to contact them and are keen to speak with two men in a pick-up truck who flagged police down at the scene. 

Detective Inspector Katie Starkie, of Bournemouth CID, said: “Enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened, or has any information that may assist our investigation, to please get in contact with us. 

“I am particularly keen to speak to two men who were travelling in a pick-up truck and flagged officers down at the scene as I believe they may have witnessed some or all of the incident. We believe they turned right at the end of Mandale Road into Turbary Park Road. 

“I understand this incident will cause great concern to residents and the wider community and they can expect to see an enhanced police presence over the coming days while we carry out house-to-house and CCTV enquiries. 

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be in the area and can be approached with any direct concerns.” 

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting incident number 22:652. 

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.