Police given more time to question suspects after Haydon Wick stabbing
A 14 year-old and 20 year-old have been arrested on suspicion of murder
Last updated 5th Dec 2022
Detectives have been given more time to question two people in relation to a fatal stabbing in North Swindon.
The 14-year-old and 20-year-old have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of an 18-year-old man from Swindon.
The teenager died following the attack on Mazurek Way in Haydon End, at around 13:30 on Sunday afternoon.
Although formal identification is yet to take place, the victim's next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem is due to be carried out.
In a statement, police say we can expect to see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, as they carry out their investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker from the Major Crime Investigation Team said:
"We would urge everyone to avoid speculation and making comments on social media regarding the victim - this will clearly add to the distress of his family."
Anyone with information that could help police with their enquiries are being encouraged to contact them on 101, quoting Operation Glendale.
'Shockwaves in the local community'
Philip Wilkinson, Wiltshire and Swindon’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “My thoughts are first and foremost with the family and friends of an 18-year-old man – murdered in Haydon End yesterday afternoon (Sunday) but also with the families of those involved in the crime. There are multiple victims in this horrendous murder.
“Understandably, the instance of yet another murder due to knife crime in Swindon has caused shockwaves in the local community and I want to provide reassurance that Wiltshire Police acted swiftly in arresting the suspects in this case and are doing their utmost to prevent a further occurrence of this senseless violence.
“I have spoken with the Chief Constable about this case and impressed upon him the need to reinforce his neighbourhood policing teams if we are to tackle the underlying causes of knife crime. Greater police visibility and the increase in frontline officers will start to have effect as more come through the training system to our neighbourhood teams.
"All powers at the police’s disposal are being fully considered and I would expect to see an increased use of Stop and Search powers to target these vile individuals who carry a knife to intimidate and harm.
“Of course, tackling knife crime isn’t just about robust policing – although that is where the focus in Swindon is in the immediate aftermath and rightly so - but also about looking at the root causes and ensuring all partners are working together.
“The Force and my office are working with schools and councils to create an education and engagement package to support what our Neighbourhood Policing Team already does and we also need parents to really step up and be wise, open to what their children may be doing and what weapons they may be carrying too.
“Young people, especially teenagers, need to feel safe and it needs to be reinforced at every level that carrying knives isn’t the answer to the issues they are facing."