LONDON, Aug 15: A Polish man is suspected of killing his wife, their two children, his father-in-law and two family friends in a frenzied stabbing spree, the deadliest crime in memory on the Channel Island of Jersey, police and local residents said on Monday.

Detective Supt. Stewart Gull of Jersey Police said a man, two women and three young children stabbed to death Sunday came from two families, one of them Polish.

He said the other family was from Jersey. Polish officials said they believed all the victims were of Polish origin.

A 30-year-old man — a member of the Polish family — has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He was in a hospital Monday after undergoing surgery for knife injuries that witnesses said were self inflicted. Police were waiting to question him.

Gull said four victims were found inside the Polish family's apartment on a secluded residential street in the island's capital, St. Helier. Two were found outside the building.

He said it was too early to speculate about a motive for the killings.

Britain's Press Association news agency identified the victims as his wife, their two children and his wife's father, as well as a family friend and her child. Neighbours reported hearing screams before police and ambulances arrived Sunday.—AP