Two 16-year-old boys from Southampton have been charged after five teenage boys were seriously injured at a Halloween party in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, police have said.

One of the boys has been charged with attempted murder and the other with wounding with intent, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said. Both were remanded in custody and appeared at Southampton Youth Court on Friday, 6 November.

The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons because of their age, were remanded in custody to appear at Southampton Crown Court on 13 November. The boy charged with wounding with intent indicated a plea of not guilty.

Five boys hurt at Park Road party

The charges follow an incident in which five boys, aged 16 and 17, suffered serious injuries while attending a supervised party at a house in Park Road, Chandler's Ford, just after 10.30pm on Saturday, 31 October.

Police said an uninvited group gained entry to the party before seriously assaulting the teenagers. Reports of the court hearing said the group got into the party over a garden fence.

One of the victims, a 17-year-old boy, remains in hospital in a serious condition. The other four boys who were injured have been discharged from hospital.

Six arrests in total

Detectives have arrested six boys in total as part of the investigation. Two of them have been bailed with conditions, and a further two 16-year-old boys from Southampton, arrested on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, have also been released on bail.

The two boys who have been charged were arrested earlier in the week, on Monday and Tuesday. Police said the charges were brought after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Detective Chief Inspector Elizabeth Pirie said after the first arrests that the investigation had moved at pace since the incident was first reported, and urged anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to contact police.

Investigation continues

The investigation is being run by the force's Major Crime team under the name Operation Sirius, with the official reference number 44260534624. Police have not publicly established a motive for the attack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary on 101, quoting reference 44260534624, or to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The charges are allegations against the two boys, and they have not been found guilty of any offence. The case will next be heard at Southampton Crown Court on 13 November.