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Man, 18, stabbed by group 'wearing balaclavas'

Tess de la MareWest of England
News imageBBC A curving shared cycle/pedestrian footpath which joins a main road in the distance. In the foreground is a lamppost, and on the bank behind it tree saplings have been planted, and to the right of the path is grass and hedges. BBC
Police say they have increased patrols in the area since the attack on this footpath

An 18-year-old man is in hospital with potentially life-changing injuries after being stabbed by a group, who witnesses said were wearing balaclavas.

Police said they have stepped up police patrols in the Redhouse area of Swindon after the attack on Oakhurst Way at 16:10 GMT on Monday.

Wiltshire Police said officers were called out to reports of a disturbance involving suspects riding electric bikes and wearing face coverings.

Residents have been told to expect "a heightened police presence in the area", the force added.

Supt James Brain said: "We understand how concerning incidents like this are for the local community and we want to reassure residents that we are fully committed to tackling violent crime and keeping our streets safe."

Police initially used extra stop-and-search powers, under Section 60 and 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, but these have now been lifted.

A Section 60 order allows police officers to stop and search anyone within the designated area without needing reasonable grounds.

The Section 60 AA allows officers to force individuals to remove face coverings that may hide their identity.

News imageTrish and Richard Mitchell are out walking their dogs (who are not in the image) they are pictured wrapped up in warm coats. Richard can be seen holding a dog lead in his hand. Behind them is a tarmacked footpath, tree saplings and grass area.
Residents Richard and Trish Mitchell have called for more police to regularly patrol the area

Richard Mitchell, who was walking his dogs with wife Trish, said: "I wish that they would have a local bobby doing patrols nowadays because people don't feel safe.

"I'm alright. We've come out together, we've got the dogs.

"But you've got people walking dogs on their own - you've got women, you've got young families that use this as a route to get to the park and get to the shops. And there's just lots of kids."

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