Police have been given more time to question suspects in connection with the stabbing of a 16-year-old boy in Deepdale.

Detectives have also arrested two further people in connection with the attack.

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Update: Police charge three people with attempted murder over Deepdale stabbing

A 16-year-old boy from Preston and an 18-year-old man from Leyland were both arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the attack in Chatham Place, off St Gregory’s Road, during Wednesday (23 December).

A 17-year-old boy from Preston was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

Preston Magistrates’ Court has granted police additional time to quiz the two boys and a man.

Police announced a 20-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, both from Preston, were arrested during Boxing Day on suspicion of assisting an offender. They remain in custody.

A 36-year-old woman from Leyland who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released under investigation.

The 16-year-old victim was found with stab wounds to his chest and legs.

Police say his family have been at his bedside throughout the Christmas period as he remains in Royal Preston Hospital in a critical condition.

Community urged to give police information

DCI Lee Wilson, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This incident has left a teenage boy battling for his life and my thoughts are with him and his family at this extremely distressing time.

“While we have now made a number of arrests, our enquiries are very much ongoing.

“This appears to have been an attack on a defenceless young man and while we remain open-minded as to why this has happened, I want to appeal to the community of Preston and, in particular Deepdale, to come forward if they have any information that could assist us in bringing those responsible to justice.

“I want to reassure members of the public that if they come forward and assist us with any information that this will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. I would urge the public not to assume the police already know what they need in relation to this investigation and no matter how insignificant it may seem to them the information they hold could be crucial to establishing the facts of what occurred.

“There will continue to be a visible police presence in the area and reassurance patrols have been increased.”

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Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 0575 of December 24, 2020.

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