A fourth boy has been arrested in connection with the Halloween party stabbings in Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire, as detectives continue to investigate the knife attack that left five teenagers injured.
The latest arrest involves a 16-year-old from Southampton, who was detained on suspicion of attempted murder. He is the fourth person to be held in connection with the incident, which occurred shortly after 22:30 GMT on Saturday at a supervised party in Park Road.
Police were called to the address after what they described as an “unknown group” entered the event by climbing over a garden fence. Five boys were stabbed during the disturbance, and all had been invited to the party.
Investigation and Custody Extensions
One 17-year-old boy remains in hospital with a life-threatening condition. The other four injured boys, who all suffered serious injuries, have since been discharged.
Two other suspects, aged 16 and 17 and both from Southampton, were arrested on Monday morning on suspicion of attempted murder. Hampshire Constabulary has been granted an additional 36 hours to question them.
A 16-year-old boy from Bristol, arrested on Monday night on suspicion of attempted murder, remains in custody.
Officers have carried out searches at three addresses linked to the arrests—two in Southampton and one in Bristol—and have seized several items that police say form part of their continued investigation.
Witness Accounts
Two witnesses told the BBC that a fight broke out after a group came over the garden fence, though they said the motive for the stabbings was unclear.
One teenager described seeing someone in the hallway near the exit pull up their shirt and say they had been stabbed, and later saw the same person lying outside the front of the house while someone compressed the wound.
The other witness said a large group started shouting before a fight broke out and the father told everyone to leave, at which point they saw someone injured on the floor.
Police cordoned off parts of Park Road and the adjoining Valley Road following the incident.
Appeal for Information
Hampshire police said a number of witnesses had come forward since the investigation began and that officers had spoken to many of them. Those who have already been in touch should wait to be contacted.
The force is still urging anyone with information to come forward, stressing that no detail is too small and could be key to the inquiry.
Earlier in the week, two churches in Chandler’s Ford opened their doors to offer support. St Boniface in Hursley Road is open from 09:00 to 17:00 through the week, while St Martin in the Wood in Queen’s Road will open on Wednesday from 15:00 to 17:00.
