Three teenagers arrested after playground stabbing

A large police presence has remained in Watford since the incident on Sunday

Three teenagers have been arrested after a man was left with critical injuries after he was stabbed multiple times in a playground.

Hertfordshire Police said two 16-year-olds from the West Midlands were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, possession of an offensive weapon and drugs offences, following the stabbing in Harwoods Recreation Ground, Watford, at about 20:25 BST on Sunday.

A 15-year-old, also from the West Midlands, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and being in possession of cannabis.

The victim, a 34-year-old man, was stabbed in his neck and under arm and was airlifted to hospital for treatment.

A cordon around the park has since been lifted

Police said the 16-year-olds, who remain in police custody, were also arrested for being in possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Officers searched an address in Hertfordshire and another in the West Midlands, where they seized two knives, and a "quantity of white powder suspected to be cocaine".

Police had cordoned off the park, but that has since been lifted.

Det Insp Chris Parperi said it was "fast-moving investigation".

"We can confirm that we are treating this as a targeted attack, and those involved in this incident are known to one another."

He appealed for anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity near Faraday Court on Franklin Avenue or Vicarage Road, next to the recreation ground, to get in touch.

Police appealed for anyone with information to come forward

Insp Simon Cooper, from the Watford Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Residents will have noticed a heightened police presence in the area, especially the park, since news of this incident.

"We have been offering reassurance to the public at the scene, as well as providing updates to the nearby school to make sure they have the latest information."