Police are continuing to question the children
Five boys aged between 12 and 15 have been arrested after a stabbing in Worthing, police have confirmed.
The attack took place on Chapel Road at around 4.45pm on Sunday (March 13), and left a 13-year-old in hospital.
Three of the boys – aged 12, 14 and 15, and all from Worthing – have been arrested on suspicion of committing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Meanwhile a 13-year-old from Littlehampton was arrested on suspicion of attempted wounding with intent and a 14-year-old – also from Littlehampton – was arrested on suspicion of committing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in public.
Stabbing Worthing updates via @Worthing_Herald @SussexLive @brightonargus @joe_stack_ @EllieSmitherman pic.twitter.com/i0BxYTFJ4j
— eddie mitchell (@brightonsnapper) March 13, 2022
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “We have warned that youth violence will not be tolerated, after five children were arrested in connection with a stabbing in Worthing.
“Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident which happened in Chapel Road, close to Liverpool Road, around 4.45pm on Sunday.
“Armed officers responded to the scene and five youths have been arrested.
“Searches of the area, including the use of a police drone in Liverpool Gardens, have also taken place.
They confirmed that a 13-year-old boy is in hospital receiving treatment for non-life threatening wounds to his torso.
We continue to work with partners to tackle youth violence, after five children were arrested in connection with a stabbing in Worthing yesterday.
A 13-year-old boy remains in hospital.
Read more, and contact us if you can help ➡️ https://t.co/p1nDnodKr2 pic.twitter.com/zodpWKzJkt
— Sussex Police (@sussex_police) March 14, 2022
Chief Inspector Sarah Leadbeatter, District Commander for Adur and Worthing, said: “As a parent and mother, I completely understand why the local community are so concerned by yesterday’s incident.
“I would however ask, that people do not speculate or share names of young people across social media channels because this can severely hinder our investigation.
“While we are treating this as an isolated incident, I am well aware of the recent reports of youth violence, antisocial behaviour and criminal damage in the Worthing area.
“The behaviour we have seen amongst a small minority of young people in the community is deeply concerning, but tackling youth violence remains my priority, and my team and I will retain our robust approach to how we tackle this completely unacceptable behaviour and ensure those committing these acts are held to account for their actions.”
She encouraged any witnesses or who captured footage of the incident to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 874 of 13/03.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
As of Monday afternoon (March 14), all five of the children were still in custody for questioning.
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