FIVE teenagers have been arrested after three youths from Saudi Arabia and a Bournemouth boy were stabbed minutes after the fireworks finished on Friday night.

Emergency services were called at 10.25pm, just 10 minutes after the fireworks had finished and while thousands of people were in the area.

Bournemouth Echo:

Now a special order has been put in place to give police greater powers to stop and search people in the area.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said three boys, all of whom are 17 and from Saudi, sustained puncture wounds during the incident. A 15-year-old boy from Bournemouth received a cut to his head. All were taken to hospital, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

A 14-year-old boy from Bournemouth has been arrested on suspicion of assault. Three 15-year-old girls and a 13-year-old girl, all from Bournemouth, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. All five teenagers are helping officers with their enquiries.

Detective Sergeant Richard Winn, of Dorset Police, said: “There were a lot of people in the area during that time and I am appealing for witnesses and anyone with information, who has not yet spoken to police, to contact us.

Bournemouth Echo:

Picture by Paula Saunders

“We are aware that an incident in such a public place causes concern to our residents and visitors.

“There will be enhanced patrols throughout the bank holiday weekend, which should not alarm anyone, but will hopefully serve as a reassurance.”

As a result of the incident a Section 60 order under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act was issued for Friday evening. A renewed Section 60 order was in place from 6pm on Saturday until 7am on Sunday.

A Section 60 order gives police the right to search people in a defined area during a specific time period when they believe, with good reason, that serious violence will take place and it is necessary to use this power to prevent such violence.

Bournemouth Echo:

Picture by Paula Saunders

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence 55190132583.

Witnesses say the incident unfolded by the mini golf course. A bench near the course remained cordoned off yesterday afternoon.

At least one of the victims was taken to an ambulance parked behind the BH2 leisure complex. The ambulance went in the direction of Poole. It had a police escort.