A 14-year-old boy is among three teenagers arrested on suspicion of murder after a 21-year-old man was stabbed to death in a Chelmsford park. Emergency services were called to Central Park at about 7pm on Friday, where the victim was found with critical injuries. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The three suspects – aged 14, 17 and 18, all from Chelmsford – were arrested at an address in Auckland Close and remain in custody for questioning.
Detective Inspector Lydia George said: “This is a deeply distressing incident. A family is grieving, and our thoughts remain firmly with them at this incredibly difficult time.” She confirmed that police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident and that there is no ongoing risk to the public. “We have already made significant progress in our investigation, including making three arrests,” she added, appealing for witnesses.
“Three teenagers arrested after man stabbed to death in Chelmsford park; girl critically hurt in Southend loading vehicle incident.”
Just hours later, in a separate incident in Southend, a teenage girl was left critically injured after a group took unauthorised control of a small articulated loading vehicle. Police were called to the Chalkwell Park area at around 12.30am on Saturday. The girl suffered “significant injuries” and remains in hospital in a critical condition. A man, 18, from Westcliff, and a boy, 17, from Leigh-on-Sea, were arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and are in custody. Essex Police appealed for witnesses, saying: “We know there were a large number of young people in the area at the time, and we believe some may have witnessed what happened.”
Meanwhile, in Scotland, police are hunting three men with weapons after a vehicle was deliberately struck in the early hours of Saturday. The investigation is ongoing.