Third boy arrested over Halloween party stabbings that left five teenagers hurt

A third boy has been arrested in connection with the Halloween party stabbings in Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire, as police continue to piece together what happened when five teenagers were attacked at a house party on Saturday night. All three suspects remain in custody on suspicion of attempted murder. No one has been reported as charged, and arrest does not imply guilt.

What police say happened

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers were called shortly after 10.30pm to Park Road, where five boys had been injured. The force has said the five had been invited to a supervised party at a home on the road. It says an uninvited group of males got in through a garden fence and assaulted them.

One 17-year-old victim remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition. The other four, aged 16 or 17, have been discharged.

Who has been arrested

Two boys were arrested on Monday. The third arrest, announced on Tuesday, is of a 16-year-old from Bristol. According to the Standard, the three are a 16-year-old from Southampton, a 16-year-old from Bristol and a 17-year-old from Southampton. All are being held on suspicion of attempted murder. Because of their ages, none of the boys can be named.

Det Ch Insp Elizabeth Pirie, the senior investigating officer, thanked those who had already come forward with information or footage. “We now have arrested three boys, but we still want to hear from you if you have any information which could assist us,” she said. “However small it may seem to you, it may be key to our enquiries.” Officers are still reviewing video footage and witness accounts to establish the movements of those involved.

Witness accounts and the motive

Two witnesses told the BBC that a fight began after a group came over a garden fence, though they said the reason for the stabbings was unclear. One teenager described standing in the hallway near the exit when someone he knew lifted his shirt and said he had been stabbed. He later saw the boy lying outside the front of the house while another person pressed on his wound. These are first-hand accounts given to a news outlet. Police have not publicly set out a motive, and the sources offer no confirmed explanation.

Reassurance in the community

Police cordons were placed around parts of Park Road and neighbouring Valley Road. The force says neighbourhood officers will visit local schools and colleges this week to offer advice and reassurance and to support those affected, directly or indirectly.

Ch Insp Rachel Noble, Eastleigh’s district commander, said the violence would have been “extremely distressing and concerning for everyone who was at the party”. She added that officers would stay visible around Park Road for anyone who wanted to talk or report something.

Anyone with information about the Halloween party stabbings is asked to contact police on 101 or through the force website, quoting reference 44260534624. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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