Police 'concerned' about knife crime after two teenage stabbings in Hartlepool in one week

On Wednesday, police and paramedics were called to the car park next to the train station on Church Street after a 17-year-old boy was hurt.

He was taken to the James Cook University Hospital for treatment, while a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of wounding.

It follows another knife attack in Seaton Carew on Friday at the Sports Domes in Tees Road when a fight broke out during a game of football.

A 16-year-old boy was left with a stab wound and taken to the University Hospital of Hartlepool for treatment.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with that disturbance.

In the wake of the incidents, and another in Stockton in recent days, Cleveland Police has put extra officers on the streets, with stop and search powers and dispersal orders being used.

The force's Assistant Chief Constable Lisa Orchard urged parents and carers to educate children on the dangers of knives.

She added: “We can confirm that there have been three incidents this week whereby young people have been stabbed and this is a concern for us, particularly because of the ages of those involved.

“Carrying knives and sharp implements and using them to harm people can have massive implications, not only on the victim’s life, but on the perpetrator’s life as well.”

Hartlepool Community Safety Team, which brings together police, Hartlepool Borough Council and Cleveland Fire Brigade, has also pledged its support to take action on the issue.

Chief Inspector Peter Graham, who leads its day-to-day operations, said: “We have an on-going commitment to make Hartlepool a safe place to live, work and visit and we want to send out a clear message that we are not prepared to tolerate the sort of behaviour that has occurred in and around the marina in recent days.

“Where incidents do occur, we want to reassure people that we will take strong and decisive action to deal with them.”