Halloween party attack: third boy arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

A third boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after five teenagers were seriously hurt in a stabbing at a Halloween party in Hampshire, police said.A 17-year-old victim remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition following the attack on Saturday night.The other four, all aged 16 or 17, have been discharged.The five boys had been invited to attend a supervised party at a home on Park Road, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh, where they were found injured at around 10.30pm, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said previously.Two 16-year-old boys, one from Southampton and another from Bristol, as well as a 17-year-old boy from Southampton, are in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, officers added on Tuesday afternoon.The force has said “a group of uninvited males” managed to enter the party “via a garden fence” before assaulting the five victims.Officers continue to review video footage and information from witnesses.Chief Inspector Rachel Noble, district commander for Eastleigh, said: “The violence witnessed on Saturday night will have undoubtedly been extremely distressing and concerning for everyone who was at the party.“It is really important to us that everyone knows what support is available for them, should they want to talk about, and how they can report anything to us so the investigation team can continue with their inquiries.“Local officers will also continue to be out in the area of Park Road, so if you do have any concerns or need to speak about anything then do not hesitate to do so when you see them.”DCI Elizabeth Pirie, senior investigating officer, said: “I want to thank everyone who has already come forward to speak about what they saw on the night, or share with us any footage they have.“Our team are working incredibly hard to understand what happened and identify anyone who may have been involved.“We now have arrested three boys, but we still want to hear from you if you have any information which could assist us. However small it may seem to you, it may be key to our enquiries.”Read MoreAnyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or via their website, quoting reference 44260534624, or Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or using its website.