Teenage boy stabbed on Bournemouth seafront

Dorset Police received a report at 9.39pm on Tuesday night that a teenage boy had sustained suspected stab wounds following an assault that occurred in the area of Pier Approach.

Emergency services attended and the teenage boy was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Following enquiries by officers, a 21-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "There will be an increased policing presence in the vicinity as police respond to and investigate this incident and officers can be approached by members of the public with any information or concerns.

"Officers were on scene within moments of the incident occurring, due to enhanced patrols along the seafront.

"These will continue throughout the summer as we work with our partners to provide an increased presence, and we will continue to deal robustly with any reports of crime and anti-social behaviour.

"We want to make it clear to those coming down to visit our coastline that any reported disorderly behaviour will not be tolerated and we will take decisive action in response, making full use of the powers available to us and our partners."

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 9.33pm on Tuesday, July 30 to an incident in Bournemouth.

"We sent a double-crewed land ambulance, a critical care car, an air ambulance and an operations officer to the scene.

"We conveyed one patient by air ambulance to Southampton General Hospital.”

A Bournemouth resident told the Daily Echo: "It was absolute chaos from about 9.30pm.

"All of a sudden there were sirens everywhere. I've never heard so many sirens, and it was high speed, like one after the other. It was chaos. I've honestly never heard anything like it.

"A helicopter flew directly above me and that’s when I knew something serious had happened."

Jessica Toale, Bournemouth West MP, said it is "extremely upsetting to hear of yet another knife crime incident" in Bournemouth.

She said: "This is part of a concerning pattern of behaviours affecting our young people that we are committed to putting an end to. 

"I’d like to commend the police and the emergency service for their swift response to this incident. 

"This underlines how important it is to tackle the scourge of knife crime affecting our communities.

"I look forward to the government bringing forward its Crime and Policing Bill, which will introduce measures to toughen sentences for possession of a knife, close loopholes on sales and introduce a Young Futures programme to support young people at risk of falling into crime.

“I have spoken to the Home Secretary about the worrying rise in knife crime in Bournemouth and across the country. She shares my concern and reiterated Labour’s mission to address it.” 

Labour MP for Bournemouth East Tom Hayes said: "Once again there’s been a stabbing in our town. I understand the concerns of local people and, frankly, I share them. I’ve contacted the Chief Constable about the stabbing and the arrest that followed. I’ve been in the process of trying to set up a meeting to raise knife crime.

"I spoke with the Home Secretary in Parliament yesterday about knife crime and working with police to stamp it out. I want to thank our emergency services for attending. I’m thankful that Dorset Police had enhanced patrols on the seafront to be able to get to the scene speedily.

"I’m relieved that the victim’s wounds are not described as serious and wish him a full and speedy recovery."