Five Arrested After 13-Year-Old Stabbed In Eastbourne

Five people have been arrested following the stabbing of a 13-year-old boy near Eastbourne seafront.

The boy was injured during an incident on Grand Parade at around 5.10pm on Sunday (September 20), close to the junctions with Elms Avenue and Cavendish Place.

He was airlifted to hospital for treatment but is now due to be discharged.

Sussex Police said a group of young people were seen leaving the area after the incident.

Three boys, two aged 16 and one aged 17, along with a 22-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, were arrested later on Sunday evening.

All five were arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and remain in custody.

Police have not recovered the knife believed to have been used and are carrying out a search for it today (Monday).

Detective Inspector Rob Tillyer said officers were continuing to investigate and urged anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

He is particularly appealing for CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage recorded around Grand Parade, Elms Avenue and Cavendish Place between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday.

DI Tillyer said:

"We would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances while the investigation is ongoing."

Eastbourne district commander Chief Inspector Kara Tombling said the victim was being released from hospital and that officers would remain in the area.

She said the increased police presence was intended to support the investigation and provide reassurance to residents, businesses and visitors.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 or report it online, quoting serial 1096 of September 20.

People can also report concerns about someone carrying a knife anonymously through Crimestoppers' Fearless service.