Thurnby stabbing: Father and teenage son critical after masked men storm home

A father and his teenage son are fighting for their lives in hospital after being stabbed by masked men who broke into their home in a quiet Leicestershire village.

The attack, which police have described as "completely unprovoked", happened shortly before 12.30am on Thursday in Station Road, Thurnby.

Two masked men forced their way into the property and assaulted the family inside. A man in his 50s and his 15-year-old son both suffered severe stab wounds and remain in a critical condition.

The boy's mother, a woman in her 40s, suffered minor injuries to her hand and shoulder. She was treated in hospital and has since been discharged. Three other children who were inside the house at the time escaped physical injury.

Armed officers were deployed to the address in the interest of public safety, but the attackers had already fled before police arrived.

What is the motive?

Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) have launched an investigation to establish why the family was targeted. At this stage, officers say they have no clear motive for the violence.

Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, who is leading the inquiry, described it as a "horrific criminal act" against a family in their own home.

"Our investigation to understand what happened and why—and identify those behind such a horrific criminal act—is going to continue over the weekend," she said.

In a direct appeal to the local community, Detective Inspector Granville asked anyone who saw or heard anything unusual in the area of Station Road and Somerby Road between 11pm on Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday to contact police. Investigators are particularly keen to speak to drivers who may have dashcam footage, or residents with CCTV and smart doorbell cameras.

"Quite unprecedented"

The attack has shocked Thurnby, a rural village on the eastern outskirts of Leicester. Local councillor Simon Galton said the level of violence was deeply alarming for what is normally a peaceful community.

"Thurnby is a quiet place," Mr Galton said. "Yes, we have anti-social behaviour, but we don't have serious violent crime of this nature. It's quite unprecedented in Thurnby."

Leicestershire Police said officers would remain in the area over the weekend to conduct searches and offer reassurance to residents. A major incident public portal has been set up online for people to submit information and video footage directly to the investigation team.