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Police hunt masked men after stabbings at two Halloween parties

Summarised from 8 outlets · 10 reports · Updated 1 Nov, 16:40 · Archive

An 18-year-old was stabbed at a party in east London and five teenagers aged 16 and 17 were stabbed at a party in Hampshire, both on Halloween.

Two separate Halloween parties in England were targeted by groups of attackers in stabbing incidents within days of each other.

On 28 October, an 18-year-old man suffered life-changing injuries when eight to ten masked men stormed a Halloween party at a community centre on James Close in Plaistow, Newham, east London, at around 7.45pm. Police and paramedics were called to the scene, where the victim was found with multiple stab wounds to his torso and arms. He was taken to hospital in critical condition but is now in a stable condition. The Metropolitan Police launched an attempted murder investigation, with no arrests made at the time of reporting.

Detective Inspector Sam Lockstone, leading the investigation, appealed for witnesses to come forward. He noted that many young people fled the scene when the stabbing occurred. 'We are grateful to those who have come forward so far. However, there were a lot of young people at the party who fled when the stabbing happened, and it is really important that they contact police and offer any information they can to help with our enquiries,' he said. He also asked anyone with video footage taken during or after the party to come forward.

Three days later, on 31 October, a second incident occurred in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire. Five teenage boys, three aged 16 and two aged 17, were stabbed at a Halloween party at a property on Park Road just after 10.30pm. Police established that an unknown group had gained entry to the party before the attack took place. All five victims were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary cordoned off Park Road and Valley Road as officers conducted door-to-door enquiries and gathered CCTV footage. Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Elizabeth Pirie said the force was working to identify anyone at the party who could assist enquiries, whether as a witness, with video footage, or by helping to identify the unknown group. She acknowledged the concern in the local community and noted that the scene-of-crime restrictions were vitally important for the investigation.

In the London incident, anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting CAD 6525/28OCT26. In the Hampshire incident, police asked anyone with information to contact them quoting reference 44260534624. Both forces said information could also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers.

Police hunt masked men after stabbings at two Halloween parties
Image: Guardian World

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How it is being reported

In this story: Metropolitan Police · Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary · Plaistow · Newham · Chandler's Ford · Hampshire · Detective Inspector Sam Lockstone · Detective Chief Inspector Elizabeth Pirie

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log