Police arrest 15-year-old boy after stabbing in the north of the Harborough district

A boy of 15 is being questioned by police today (Friday) after an 18-year-old man was repeatedly knifed in Fleckney yesterday evening.

The schoolboy was arrested after the seriously-wounded victim was found with “multiple stab wounds” in a park off Edward Road in the Harborough village just before 6pm.

An argument is believed to have broken out before the attack was carried out.

The suspect was quickly held by police nearby as the injured victim was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.

His condition is said to be “stable” today as he is treated in hospital.

Police are still heavy on the ground in Fleckney today carrying out house-to-house enquiries as they try to piece together exactly what happened.

A full-scale 999 emergency operation was launched after the alarm was raised at teatime yesterday.

The regional air ambulance was scrambled and landed in fields on the edge of Fleckney amid reports that armed police were also swiftly drafted in.

Police from across Harborough flooded the usually quiet village as stunned residents left their homes and went outside on the street to watch the 999 drama unfold.

Officers sealed off the entrance to the Edward Road park – popular with youngsters and families - as forensics experts scoured the scene for crucial evidence.

“Police received a call just before 5.50pm yesterday (Thursday 20 August) reporting an 18 year-old boy had been stabbed in a park just off Edward Road.

“Officers and colleagues from East Midlands Ambulance Service attended the scene and found the victim with multiple stab wounds.

“He was taken by air ambulance to Coventry for treatment,” said Leicestershire Police today.

“He remains in hospital in a stable condition.

“Shortly after the incident a 15-year-old boy was arrested in the area on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

“He remains in police custody where he is being questioned by detectives.

“A scene preservation in an area the park to allow officers to carry out an examination of the scene has since been lifted.

“Officers remain in Fleckney today (Friday) carrying out further enquiries in relation to the incident and also offering reassurance to the local community.”

Det Con Julia Brown, the investigating officer, said: “This is an extremely serious incident where a young person has suffered multiple stab wounds.

“Fortunately, although he remains in hospital, he is recovering from his injuries.”

She said police are determined to crack down hard on “knife crime”.

“Knife crime is a force priority.

“We are determined to get to the bottom of what happened and bring those responsible to justice,” said Det Con Brown.

“Enquiries are continuing in the village today to establish exactly what happened.

“But we believe that an argument took place before the victim was stabbed.”

East Midlands Ambulance Service said the injured victim was taken to Coventry and Walsgrave General Hospital by “crewed ambulance”.

The ambulance service spokesman said: “We received a call at 5.40pm on 20 August to Edward Road in Fleckney.

“The caller reported a medical emergency.

“We sent a paramedic in a fast response car, a doctor in a car and a crewed ambulance.”

He added: “The air ambulance was also in attendance. “One patient was taken to Coventry and Walsgrave General Hospital via crewed ambulance.”

If you have any information about the attack you should call the police on 101 quoting incident 430.