A TEENAGER has been arrested following a stabbing in Swindon.

A 17-year-old boy remains in a serious condition in hospital following the incident which took place just after 8pm on Thursday evening in Meadowcroft Fields, Upper Stratton.

The victim sustained at least one knife wound after becoming involved in an altercation with other teenagers at the town park. 

He was attended to by paramedics at the scene before being airlifted to Southmead hospital in Bristol by Wiltshire Air Ambulance for treatment of 'life-threatening' injuries. 

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "Since then officers have been conducting extensive enquiries overnight and have this morning arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder.

"He has been taken to Gablecross custody for questioning."

A witness who saw the aftermath of the attack while he was trying to take his two-year-old to the nearby funfair described what it was like.

"Around 100m away next to the play park there was a group of people around a lad who was lying on the floor.

"Shortly after the police arrived, it was around 8pm, so I would guess the stabbing happened just before, they quickly taped the area off and at around 8:20pm the air ambulance landed on scene.

"It was horrendous, and it's just sad that we can’t even take our kids to enjoy ourselves in the evenings to the fairground or even a play park."

Both the leader of Swindon Borough Council, councillor Jim Robbins, and Stratton St Margaret Parish Council have spoken out regarding the stabbing, and have vowed to do more.

Coun Robbins said: "Really sad to hear of another stabbing in Swindon. Hope that the victim is ok after the air ambulance took them to Bristol. Swindon Council will work with all stakeholders to try to stop knives being used on our streets."

And a spokesperson for the parish council added: "The Parish Council will continue to support the police at this time and administer well-being support to any young people affected by the incident during our youth provision activities in the coming weeks.

"We will continue to work with the community and other stakeholders to combat knife crime for our residents."

Prior to this arrest, a forensic officer spent the morning meticulously collecting evidence at the heavily cordoned-off field, but Wiltshire Police are continuing to ask for anyone who saw what happened to come forward.

The force's spokesperson added: "Anyone with information on the incident should call 101 and quote log number 344 of June 8."