Two teenagers arrested following stabbing in Taunton

We have arrested two teenage boys on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following an incident in Taunton last night (Tuesday 30 August).

The two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, were arrested in the early hours of today (Wednesday 31 August) and are currently being questioned by detectives.

Officers were called to Hamilton Park, off Hamilton Road, at around 8pm yesterday after a man was stabbed.

The victim, aged 52, was taken to hospital after receiving initial treatment from officers. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing, and he was later discharged to recover at home.

Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team are continuing to carry out patrols of the area to provide reassurance to the community.

T/Insp Huw Jenkins, Neighbourhood Manager, said: “We would like to reassure the community we are doing everything in our power to bring those responsible for this assault to justice.

“Enquiries, including house-to-house and a review of CCTV, are underway and the public can expect to see an increased police presence during our investigation

“I understand that this incident will have caused concern in the community, but we’re carrying out a significant amount of work across the Avon and Somerset area to tackle knife crime.

“Our early intervention teams work closely with schools and other youth organisations to educate young people on the dangers of carrying knives and the impact that knife crime has on victims, perpetrators, families, and communities.

“Our Blunt Truth workshops, which we developed in partnership with the NHS and which we deliver in secondary schools, show young people first-hand the consequences of not speaking up if they suspect someone is carrying a knife, and provide practical first aid training which could save lives in the event of a stabbing.

“Knife crime is such complex issue and police alone will never solve it. We must all work together to ensure our young people know how they can report if they know someone is carrying a knife, and importantly, that they understand that carrying a knife never makes you safer and in fact puts you more at risk.”

Anyone who witnessed this specific incident, or anyone with relevant CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage, please contact us.

For information about our youth engagement projects, how to surrender a knife and further support, visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/knifecrime