Five boys aged 16 and 17 were seriously hurt in Chandler’s Ford on Saturday night, and one remains in a life-threatening condition
Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after five boys were stabbed at a supervised Halloween party in Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old, both from Southampton, remain in custody. Two of the five victims, all aged 16 or 17, are still in hospital, and one is in a life-threatening condition. No one has died. Officers have been visiting schools and colleges to reassure pupils and parents.
What police have said
The force said all five boys had been invited to the party at a home in the area and were found injured at about 10.30pm on Saturday. Police said “a group of uninvited males” entered “via a garden fence” and then assaulted them. The force has not said how many people were involved, what weapons were used or how the boys knew each other. It has also not said whether the two arrested teenagers have been charged or released.
Crime scenes were set up on both Park Road and Valley Road. Officers carried out house-to-house inquiries overnight, checked nearby streets and interviewed witnesses from the party. They want to hear from anyone who attended, and from anyone with mobile-phone, dashcam, CCTV or doorbell camera footage of Park Road and the surrounding area.
Detective Chief Inspector Elizabeth Pirie said the arrests were “a significant development in our investigation, which has moved at pace since the incident was first reported to us”, but urged people to come forward “with any information, no matter how small it may seem”. She added: “I understand the effect that such an incident will have had on the local community, and I do not underestimate the disruption that our scenes have caused to those living in the area.”
Information can be given to police on 101 or online, quoting reference 44260534624, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The community response
Barton Peveril Sixth Form College told the BBC it believes two of the injured boys are its students and said support was being provided to affected students. In an email to parents, it said security staff were stationed at both entrances to restrict access. It said that did not follow any threat to the college. Thornden School in Chandler’s Ford confirmed some of its former pupils were hurt. Headteacher Caroline Lowing said the news had affected the school community and that wellbeing support was available. The number of former pupils is unknown.
Eastleigh MP Liz Jarvis spoke of widespread shock and her concern for the boys’ families, and urged residents not to share unverified information. Residents told LBC that Chandler’s Ford is normally a quiet area. St Boniface Church on Hursley Road is open from 9am to 5pm this week for reflection and candle-lighting, and St Martin in the Wood Church on Queen’s Road is open on Monday and Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm.
ITV Meridian reported that police, ambulance crews and an air ambulance attended the scene.
