A woman was stabbed in Weymouth before catching a train to Dorchester nursing the knife wound.

Police are investigating after the victim, aged in her 30s, revealed to officers she was attacked by a man in the area of KFC at Jubilee Close close to busy King Street.

However police and paramedics were not made aware until the woman got off a train at Dorchester South.

Dorset Police said they received a report from the ambulance service at just after 7.15pm on Wednesday that paramedics were at the station treating a woman who had sustained a small puncture wound to her abdomen.

The woman told paramedics that she had been in an 'altercation' with a man in Weymouth a short time earlier, at around 6pm, and had then got on the train to Dorchester.

The woman was taken to hospital for treatment. Her injury is not believed to be life-threatening.

Investigations Officer Karen O’Donnell, of Weymouth CID, said: “We are carrying out a detailed investigation to establish the full circumstances of the incident and how the woman came to sustain her injury and what caused it.

“Our enquiries have included a review of CCTV footage in the area and we are now appealing for anyone who witnessed an altercation near to KFC in Weymouth on Wednesday evening or who has any information about this incident to come forward.”

Cllr Mike Byatt, Community Safety spokesman at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council condemned the incident.

He said: “We don’t want to see these horrendous crimes in our area. I trust police will pursue the matter with a full investigation.

"A stabbing is a terrible crime which we don’t want to see in our area and in such a public place. I am hopeful and trust police will pursue the matter and bring the offender to justice.

"In the meantime, I wish the victim of the stabbing a full and speedy recovery and would like to thank the response from our emergency services.”

The knife attack follows a number of incidents of violence in the Melcombe Regis area.

Last week, the Echo reported plans to enhance and improve the area of the Weymouth Station Gateway with a bid to the government for coastal community funding.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 55180184287. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.