GBH arrests of three teenaged boys following stabbing of 14-year-old

A 14-year-old boy was stabbed shortly before 4.30pm close to the Link Centre in west Swindon.
He suffered potentially life-changing injuries during the attack and remains in hospital.
Following initial enquiries, three teenaged boys – two aged 14 and one aged 13 – were arrested on suspicion of GBH over the course of Saturday evening and Sunday.
They have been released on police bail while enquiries continue.
Any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to contact us on 101 quoting reference 54220114257.
The announcement of the arrests came shortly after a senior Wiltshire Police officer issued a statement reassuring the public that knife crime is a force priority in Swindon.
Swindon commander Superintendent Phil Staynings said: "“We are acutely aware of the impact these crimes have on our communities and the ages of those involved are shocking.

“We are utilising every available resource within our organisation to tackle this issue – including our community officers, dedicated proactive staff and colleagues within our firearms unit.

“We are also fully engaged with our partners – including Swindon Borough Council to develop our approach to early intervention and dissuade children from criminality.

“We’ve made use of criminal and civil orders to manage threat and risk - we have successfully applied for closure orders, injunctions and criminal behaviour orders and these have had huge impact in reducing threat and risk locally.

“But, it is clear that we need to do more to combat this issue.”

Although incidents where a knife has been used decreased by six percent between June 2021 and June 2022, there has been a 48 rise in the number of crimes where someone has been in possession of a knife during the same period.

In particular, the police have seen a rise in these incidents in the town centre, and say they know this is causing significant concern to the public.

Supt Staynings said that one option considered each time there was a stabbing was the use of a Section 60 order, which allows police officers to stop and search people even if they don't have suspicions about them.

A Section 60 order can be put in place for up to 24 hours, but can be extended for a further 24hrs, and is limited to a specific area or group of streets.

Supt Staynings added: “My officers will use every tactic available to them to reduce the number of stabbings on our streets but we cannot do this alone. My staff are fully committed in bringing those that perpetrate such crimes to justice, however alongside the work of my staff, we need intelligence and information from our communities to build up an accurate picture in order that we can tackle these issues effectively. 

"We need communities to pull together and support the police in giving evidence for those who perpetrate such crimes.

“I would urge anyone with any information to contact us on 999 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.”