Teenage girl remains in Ipswich Hospital with potentially life-changing injuries after stabbing in Benhall as 17-year-old boy continues to be questioned

A teenage girl who was seriously injured in a stabbing in a Suffolk village remains in hospital as detectives continue to question a boy arrested in connection with the attack.

Police were called by the East of England Ambulance Service at just after 7am yesterday, to reports that a teenage girl had been assaulted in an area of grassland close to the junction of Aldecar Lane and Benhall Green, Benhall.

The victim was treated for stab wounds and a back injury and taken to Ipswich Hospital where she remains in a stable condition with her injuries described as potentially life changing.

It is believed the incident was about 2am, with the victim left for several hours before being found by a dog walker who alerted the emergency services.

At 8.40am yesterday, officers arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent and he was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

He was further arrested while in custody on suspicion of attempted murder.

Detectives have now been granted a superintendent’s extension to detain him for questioning for an additional 12 hours.

A police cordon remains at the scene while investigations are carried out.

Inspector Gary King said: “We fully understand the shock this will have caused within the local community and that many people will be feeling very concerned.

“I would like to reassure people that officers have been working non-stop in both our first response and the subsequent investigation and we do not believe there is any wider threat to the public.

"The victim and the suspect are known to each other.

“Officers have been supporting the victim and her family, while we have been continuing our enquiries into what is a very serious incident.”

Officers continue to appeal for anyone who may have seen individuals in the area of the assault and the adjacent open areas during the early hours of Sunday morning to get in touch with police.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information or knowledge of the incident should contact Suffolk police quoting 37/63110/22, via their website.

Alternatively, call 101.