A COMMUNITY is in shock after a man was stabbed in a residential area of Weymouth.

Officers are appealing for information following the incident on Saturday night.

Dorset Police were called to a report of a fight taking place in the street on Chickerell Road, close to the Marsh at around 6.30pm.

The police helicopter also attended.

A spokesman for the police confirmed there had been a non-fatal stabbing and one person had been arrested and is helping police with their enquiries.

He said: “Officers located one person, a victim, with a single puncture wound.”

The victim, a 20 year-old man, was taken to Dorset County Hospital for treatment. The spokesman said: “The injured party was taken to hospital but has already been released.”

Residents along Chickerell Road reported hearing a lot of sirens and the police helicopter hovering overhead.

One eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said: “The whole road was lit up with blue lights. I don’t think anyone knew what had happened to begin with.

“In total there must have been about four to six police cars, two ambulances, two riot vans, two armed response vehicles. They had full riot gear on and everything. The helicopter was up, two dog units and forensics, scenes of crime and CID where there too.”

The witness said that armed guards were posted at the doors to the property until 11pm on Saturday night.

The eyewitness added that one person was lying on the floor between a car and a riot van, before the paramedics came to treat him.

He added: “We saw a guy walking to the ambulance with bandages round his stomach, from the hip to lower rib cage.”

Weymouth West, where the incident took place has three councillors.

Councillor Richard Kosior said the community would be shocked by the incident.

He said: “I’m totally shocked. I have never known of anything of that kind round there.

“You hear of it in cities but not in Weymouth.

“I think it will shock everybody an incident like that.”

Councillor Colin Huckle said he was shocked to hear of the stabbing. He said: “Any disturbance is deplorable wherever it is. It’s a residential area, it shouldn’t happen. It’s all very quiet along there to be honest. Crime in general is low throughout the area.

“I’m shocked to hear about it.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 405 of the 25th.