BOURNEMOUTH’S MP has said she is “committed” to fighting a “concerning pattern” of bad behaviour among teenagers following another stabbing on the seafront. 

Officers quickly arrested a Southampton man, 21, on Tuesday evening after a teenage boy was reportedly stabbed at Pier Approach. 

Jessica Toale, Bournemouth West’s Labour MP, said it is "extremely upsetting to hear of yet another knife crime incident" in Bournemouth. 

She said: "This is part of a concerning pattern of behaviours affecting our young people that we are committed to putting an end to.

A police cordon on the night of the stabbing (Image: Submitted)

"I’d like to commend the police and the emergency service for their swift response to this incident.  

"This underlines how important it is to tackle the scourge of knife crime affecting our communities. 

"I look forward to the government bringing forward its Crime and Policing Bill, which will introduce measures to toughen sentences for possession of a knife, close loopholes on sales and introduce a Young Futures programme to support young people at risk of falling into crime.

“I have spoken to the Home Secretary about the worrying rise in knife crime in Bournemouth and across the country. She shares my concern and reiterated Labour’s mission to address it.” 

In his speech to peers and MPs in the House of Lords last month, King Charles III set out the Government’s ambition to bolster community policing and give officers greater powers to tackle antisocial behaviour.  

Ministers also have ambitions to halve rates of violence against women and girls and to ban ninja swords through the new crime and policing bill. 

Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes added: "I understand the concerns of local people and, frankly, I share them. 

“I’ve contacted the chief constable about the stabbing and the arrest that followed. I’ve been in the process of trying to set up a meeting to raise knife crime. 

"I spoke with the Home Secretary in Parliament yesterday about knife crime and working with police to stamp it out. I want to thank our emergency services for attending. I’m thankful that Dorset Police had enhanced patrols on the seafront to be able to get to the scene speedily.” 

A spokesman for Dorset Police said after the alleged stabbing on Tuesday, extra officers were deployed to the area to investigate the incident. 

He added: "Officers were on scene within moments of the incident occurring, due to enhanced patrols along the seafront. 

"These will continue throughout the summer as we work with our partners to provide an increased presence, and we will continue to deal robustly with any reports of crime and anti-social behaviour. 

"We want to make it clear to those coming down to visit our coastline that any reported disorderly behaviour will not be tolerated and we will take decisive action in response, making full use of the powers available to us and our partners."