A TEENAGE boy has been charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing of a 14-year-old boy.

At 7.11pm on Wednesday, February 22, Dorset Police was called to reports of a possible stabbing in Mandale Road, West Howe.

The victim, a local boy, was found in nearby Gladdis Road with a single stab wound. He was taken to hospital for treatment and his injuries are no longer believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

A 13-year-old boy from Bournemouth was arrested in connection with the incident and has now been charged with attempted murder.

He appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court on Friday, February 24, and was remanded in a youth detention facility. The boy will next appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on March 9.

Following further enquiries, three local teenage boys – one aged 14 and two 15-year-olds – have also been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Bournemouth Echo:

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Bell, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We are continuing to investigate this incident and I would again urge anyone with information that might assist our enquiries to please come forward.

“We are still keen to speak to two men who were travelling in a pick-up truck and flagged down officers at the scene, as we believe they may have witnessed some or all of the incident.

“There will continue to be a visible police presence in the area as our enquiries continue and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be approached with any concerns.”

Due to previous police contact involving the victim, a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

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 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.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230028747.

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