Two boys arrested after Halloween party stabbings

Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after five teenagers were stabbed at a Halloween party.

Officers said they were called shortly after 22:30 GMT on Saturday to Park Road in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, where an "unknown group" had gained entry to the event.

Police said two boys remain in hospital having suffered serious injuries, with one 17-year-old victim in a life-threatening condition. The others have been discharged from hospital.

A 17-year-old and 16-year-old, both from Southampton, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remain in police custody.

Two witnesses told the BBC a fight started after a group came in over a garden fence, although they said the motive for the stabbings was unclear.

One of the teenagers said: "I was [standing] in the hallway near the exit and I saw someone I know pull up their shirt and say 'I've been stabbed'.

"And then I later saw him lying outside the front of the house with someone compressing his wound."

Police cordoned off parts of Park Road and the adjoining Valley Road.

Det Ch Insp Elizabeth Pirie said: "Whilst the two arrests are a significant development in our investigation, which has moved at pace since the incident was first reported to us, we still urge our communities to contact us with any information, no matter how small it may seem."

She added: "If you were at the party and have not spoken with officers yet, or you have any CCTV, mobile phone, dash cam or doorbell camera footage covering Park Road and the surrounding area, then please get in touch."

The force said throughout the coming week, local officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team are visiting local schools and colleges to offer further advice and reassurance, as well as to support those directly and indirectly affected by this incident.

The vicar of Chandler's Ford, the Reverend Duncan Hollands, said: "It's awful, it's shocking, it's sad. Chandler's Ford is a very peaceful place. These sorts of things don't happen."

He said churches had opened their doors for people to pause for reflection or seek support.

St Boniface Church in Hursley Road will be open 09:00-17:00 through the week, while St Martin in the Wood in Queen's Road will be available Monday and Wednesday between 15:00 and 17:00.