Dad and son remain critical after masked men attack

A father and son are in hospital in a life-threatening condition after an attack in their family home which appeared "completely unprovoked", police have said.

Officers were called to reports of a disturbance at a house in Station Road, Thurnby, shortly before 00:30 BST on Thursday.

Leicestershire Police said a man in his 50s was stabbed multiple times, while a boy, 15, was also stabbed by two masked men who entered the property. The force gave an update on Friday to say both remained critical in hospital.

Officers added that the man's wife - who is in her 40s - suffered minor injuries to her hand and shoulder during the attack. Three other children who were in the address were not injured.

In the interest of public and police safety, police said armed officers were deployed but the men had left the house prior to them arriving.

The force added an investigation, led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), to understand the circumstances and motive would continue over the weekend.

Police said it would remain in the area as officers undertook searches for anything that may help them to understand and identify those responsible.

Det Insp Lorna Granville said: "This was a violent attack against a family in their own home which appears to have been completely unprovoked.

"Our investigation to understand what happened and why - and identify those behind such a horrific criminal act - is going to continue over the weekend.

"I'm making a direct appeal to people in Thurnby and the surrounding communities to come forward with any information if they haven't already done so.

"We owe it to the victims to locate the perpetrators and bring them to justice."

Granville added: "I'd like to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, unusual or untoward in the area of Station Road and Somerby Road between 23:00 on Wednesday and the early hours of yesterday morning.

"This includes anyone who was driving in the area and captured anything on a dashcam or anyone with CCTV or doorbell footage.

"Anything you're able to provide, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, could help us."

The force said it had set up a major incident public portal for the public to submit information.

Simon Galton, councillor for Thurnby and Houghton, said he was "absolutely appalled" to hear of the attack on Thursday.

"Thurnby is a quiet place, yes we have anti-social behaviour, but we don't have serious violent crime of this nature.