Five teenage boys have been left with serious injuries after they were stabbed at a Halloween party.
The victims, three aged 16 and two 17, were hurt after an ‘unknown group’ gained entry to a property in Eastleigh, Hampshire, on Saturday night, October 31.
Police were called just after 10.30pm and found the five boys with injuries described as ‘serious’.
An air ambulance attended the scene, and the victims were rushed to hospital.
Eyewitnesses described hearing ‘crying and screaming’ – which some local residents assumed was late trick-or-treaters.
One neighbour, Mary Morton, 70, said she had ‘just gone to bed’ when she spotted ‘flashing lights’ appear through the window.
‘I thought it must be roadworks; I’d never have thought all these police vans had showed up,’ Ms Morton said.
The pensioner added she had lived in the Chandler’s Ford residential area for 26 years but had ‘never seen anything like this’.
Another local resident, James, 38, said: ‘I heard a commotion last night and saw loads of teenagers in the street.
‘It was like a party had just finished. There were girls crying and screaming.’
Hampshire Police said no arrests have been made and appealed for anyone with information – or who may have attended the party – to come forward.
A nearby resident’s daughter, who said she had been in contact with one of the victims, said she heard people ‘jump the fence and start stabbing’.
Meanwhile, Angie McConnell, 67, said she arrived at her home at midnight to find seven police vans blocking the road.
She said: ‘Nothing like that happens here. It’s shocking and surprising.
‘There were lots of children with their families at 7pm, trick or treating, having a lovely time.
‘I can’t imagine it was anything to do with the road. Mostly just elderly people live here.’
Officers said they began their enquiries overnight – speaking with witnesses, identifying CCTV and other footage available and making enquiries at neighbouring houses and in a number of other nearby streets.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Elizabeth Pirie said: ‘We are already hard at work identifying anyone who was at the party who may be able to assist our enquiries, whether that be having directly witnessed what took place, having filmed any footage which may be relevant, or who may be able to help us identify the unknown group.
‘I understand the response the local community may have to hearing about this incident this morning, and I do not underestimate the impact our scenes will be having on those living in the area.
‘These scenes are vitally important for our enquiries and we are grateful to the understanding of our communities whilst we work to establish the facts.
‘If you were at the party and have not spoken with officers yet, or you have any CCTV, mobile phone, dash cam or doorbell camera footage covering Park Road and the surrounding area, then please get in touch.’
Liz Jarvis, MP for Eastleigh, wrote on X: ‘My thoughts are with the victims and their families and all those affected by the incident in Chandler’s Ford last night, and my thanks go to our local police and emergency services for their prompt response.
‘It’s important not to speculate or share unverified information.’
Parish clerk Hilary Blaker said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the recent events and encourage the community to assist the police with their inquiries where possible.
‘Our thoughts go to those families involved.’