A WARD councillor has said residents will “rally” round after two stabbings this weekend.

Norden ward councillor, Cllr Paul Harvey, told the Gazette than Oakridge and South View is “strong community."

This comes following two stabbings, one being fatal, in the area.

Cllr Harvey said: “The people in Oakridge and South View are a very strong community.

“The community will rally round. This is not a reflection on our community at all and we need to show our spirit in this time.”

Cllr Harvey also praised the police saying that he and his fellow ward councillor will support officers in aiding their investigations.

He added: “This type of activity is unusual for Basingstoke not just Oakridge and South View. The people living in the area are clearly shaken, but we have a strong sense of community and we will support each other.”

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was found with stab wounds at a property in Shooters Way, at 10.44pm on Saturday (August 31).

A second stabbing took place in Normanton Road, which police are saying the two incidents are links.

Four people have been arrested, two 29-year-old men and a 36-year-old woman, all from Basingstoke, as well as a 16-year-old boy from Croydon, who remain in custody at the time.