A 15-year-old boy is being treated for life-threatening injuries after being stabbed more than 20 times.

The teenager was attacked in Preston Gardens, Luton, at about 02:10 BST.

Det Insp Jerry Waite described the violence as « horrific » and appealed for witnesses.

« The victim received more than 20 stab wounds in this shocking incident and is now fighting for his life, » Det Insp Waite said.

« It’s absolutely vital that anyone who has any information about this incident, no matter how minor it may seem, gets in touch with us. »

One resident who lives nearby said she heard « a lot of screaming and shouting » at about 02:00.

« At first I thought it was animal screams but as they went on I realised it was a male screaming, » she said. « The screaming went on for about two or three minutes, then it all went quiet, and then the screaming started again. « It sounded like someone was in a lot of pain. It was a screaming for your life kind of scream. »