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Teens arrested in skate park stabbing murder probe

Neve Gordon-Farleigh
News imageAnt Saddington/BBC A forensics officer dressed in all white with their face covered standing in front of the entrance to a children's play park and behind some blue and white police tape. He is holding a long wooden stick.Ant Saddington/BBC
Investigations are under way after a fatal incident at a skate park in Northampton

Four teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man died and a teenage boy was left in a critical condition following a stabbing at a skate park.

Northamptonshire Police launched a murder investigation after emergency services were called to Briar Hill Skate Park in Northampton at about 15:45 GMT on Wednesday.

The force said a man in his 20s was pronounced dead at the scene and a teenage boy was taken to hospital with "life-threatening" injuries.

Northamptonshire Police said four boys, aged 17, 16, 15 and 14, had been arrested on suspicion of murder, while two men, aged 35 and 56, and a woman, 33, had been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

News imageAnt Saddington/BBC A group of forensics officers dressed in all white with their faces covered standing in front of the side entrance to a navy blue transit van. Next to them are three other people dressed in all black.Ant Saddington/BBC
Police and forensics officers have been stationed at the site since the incident was reported on Wednesday afternoon
News imageAndy Dixon - Knife Crime Victim Support Two helicopters on the ground in an urban park.Andy Dixon - Knife Crime Victim Support
Emergency services were called to the scene after the stabbing was reported at about 15:45 GMT on Wednesday

When speaking from the scene on Thursday, Ch Insp Kim Jackson, from Northamptonshire Police, confirmed the man and teenager had been stabbed during "an altercation" and that all seven people who have been arrested were from Northampton.

Jackson said the injured teenager remained in a "critical condition in hospital".

"There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days while our investigation into what happened and why continues," said Jackson.

News imageAnt Saddington/BBC Ch Insp Kim Jackson wears a black police force hat with badge and a black police jacket with blue and white checks across the chest. She stands in front of police tape preventing entry to the crime scene in the park.Ant Saddington/BBC
Ch Insp Kim Jackson said officers would be carrying out door-to-door inquiries near the park

Officers said the investigation was "fast-moving" and police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with relevant information - including CCTV, doorbell or mobile phone footage - has been urged to contact the force "as a matter of urgency".

The park, which also includes a children's play area, has been closed until further notice while an investigation takes place.

A number of nearby roads have also been affected.

West Northamptonshire Council said it was "shocked and saddened" by the incident and also encouraged people to come forward with any information.

News imageAnt Saddington/BBC Forensics officers dressed in all white with their faces covered standing in the distance on a field. In the foreground, there is a police officer who is looking towards the forensics team. She is wearing a hi-vis yellow police jacket and a black police hat. She is blurred.Ant Saddington/BBC
Residents have been encouraged to contact the police if they have any information about what happened

A local resident, who did not want to be named, said they were "upset" to discover what had taken place and another said she felt like she no longer wished to live in the area.

Another resident, who did not want to be named, told the BBC she was at home doing some maths with her grandson when she heard the "commotion" and the police arriving.

"It's really upsetting. You know, I've got to bring my grandson up on this estate. It's not nice. And to lose a life so young as well, it's terrible," she said.

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