Five arrests after boy, 13, stabbed on seafront

Five people have been arrested after a 13-year-old boy was seriously injured in a stabbing in East Sussex, police have said.

Emergency services were called to Grand Parade in Eastbourne, near the junctions of Elms Avenue and Cavendish Place, at about 17:10 BST on Sunday.

Sussex Police said the boy had sustained an injury consistent with a stabbing, and been airlifted to hospital. He has since been discharged.

Three boys, two aged 16 and one 17-year-old, a woman aged 22 and a 20-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and remain in custody, police said.

Officers are searching for a knife which has not yet been recovered, the force added.

Det Insp Rob Tillyer said: "This is a distressing incident and the young teenage victim is being supported by specialist officers.

"It has been a fast-moving investigation and we have a continued police presence in the area."

He asked people "not to speculate about the circumstances while the investigation is ongoing".

Ch Insp Kara Tombling said: "We understand the concern and distress that a serious incident such as this can cause."

The force is appealing for witnesses and asking anyone with information, including CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage from the area from 16:00 to 18:00 to get in touch.

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