East Preston stabbing: Police make three arrests

Officers responded to a report of two men assaulting a man during an altercation in Sea Road at about 4pm last Thursday (April 15).

The victim – a 20-year-old man – suffered a stab wound to the abdomen and was airlifted to hospital. He was subsequently discharged.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “A 20-year-old man from Angmering was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

“A 16-year-old local boy was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and has been bailed while enquiries continue.

“A 37-year-old local woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and has been released under investigation.”

A manhunt was initially launched for two suspects who police believed were on foot. However, significant developments in the investigation led to the three arrests.

Detective Inspector Kim May said: “We understand that this incident may have caused concern and would like to assure the public that we are investigating this as a priority and we will not tolerate violence in our communities.

“This incident is being treated as isolated and there is nothing to suggest that there is any threat to the wider community.

“We continue to appeal to anyone who saw what happened or witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area.”

Anyone with any information, or who witnessed anything suspicious, can report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Treble.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Sir Peter Bottomley MP for Worthing West, who looks after East Preston, condemned the incident last week.

He said the ‘violence involved in these attacks cannot be tolerated and we all must ensure every effort is made neighbour by neighbour, community by community to support our police in their efforts to investigate these incidences so that the criminals involved know we have zero tolerance for it’.