POLICE are continuing their investigations after a teenage boy was allegedly stabbed by a boy aged 13 in West Howe on Thursday evening.
Enquiries are ongoing into the incident, which took place in Mandale Road, Bournemouth, at around 7pm.
Who has been arrested and what for?
A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on the evening of Wednesday, February 22.
It is alleged he stabbed a 14-year-old boy in Mandale Road. A witness to the incident 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.”
It is believed the victim then went to hide in a garden in nearby Gladdis Road, where he was found by police with a single stab wound.
He was hospitalised in a critical condition. In an update on Thursday evening, a Dorset Police spokesman told the Echo he is injuries are now not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
What have police said?
Crime scene investigators forensically examined the area and an investigation, led by officers from Bournemouth CID, is underway.
A cordon and police car were seen outside the house of the garden where the victim was found with stab wounds.
Read more: LIVE: Attempted murder probe launched after boy is stabbed
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 on Thursday night: “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.”
Read more: Boy aged 13 arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in Bournemouth
How has the community reacted?
People of all walks of life reacted with shock at the incident.
Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West, said the incident was a “sad return to headlines we thought West Howe had put behind”.
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.
“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 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.”
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.”
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