Horsham is ‘still safe’ despite knife attacks
Horsham’s police chief has insisted the district remains a safe place to live despite four shocking attacks in a week.
On Tuesday March 30, a teenager suffered serious injuries in a stabbing in Horsham Park.
A man was stabbed in the stomach near Billingshurst station on April 1 and on Easter Sunday a man was stabbed in the back in Southwater.
A man was also attacked in Honeysuckle Walk, Roffey, and suffered minor injuries, police said. Police are treating each attack as isolated incidents, Chief Inspector Sarah Leadbeatter, district commander for Horsham said.
She added: “We have already made a number of arrests and our investigations are very much ongoing. Our officers will be carrying out increased and regular patrols in the area to provide reassurance to our communities, and to identify and deter any further criminal activity.
“Horsham remains a safe place to live, with incidents involving knives thankfully rare in the area.”
A 30-year-old arrested in connection with the Honeysuckle Walk attack has been released under investigation. The 21-year-old arrested in connection with the Horsham Park stabbing has been released on bail with strict conditions while enquiries continue. Two boys, 16 and 17, have also been released on bail with strict conditions while enquiries continue after being arrested in connection with the Billingshurst stabbing.
No arrests have been made in connection with the Southwater stabbing,
The police chief said tackling knife crime continues to be a priority for officers. She added: “We regularly carry out targeted days of action, knife sweeps and test purchasing activities to prevent violent offences occurring.
“We also work closely with our partners on multiagency awareness campaigns to highlight the dangers of carrying knives. I continue to urge anyone with any knowledge or information about these recent incidents to come forward and help us with our enquiries. We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have captured any relevant footage on their mobile phones.
“Members of the public can contact us online or by calling 101. They can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”