POLICE are probing an early hours violent assault in Dorchester in which two men were stabbed.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after it was reported that two men were stabbed during an altercation at 3.30am today (Wednesday) near to the Shell petrol station in London Road.

The offender is believed to have arrived at the scene in a dark-coloured car and was wearing a hooded top with the hood up.

One man, aged in his 30s, was taken to hospital for treatment to an arm injury that required surgery. The other victim, also aged in his 30s, suffered superficial cuts to his arm and attended hospital as a precaution. 

Detective Inspector Andrea Power, of Weymouth CID, said: “This was a violent assault with a bladed weapon and we have launched a full investigation to identify the man responsible.

“I am appealing to any witnesses or anyone with information about this incident who has not already spoken to police to contact us immediately.

“There will be an increased police presence in the area as we investigate this incident and local officers can be approached with any community concerns.”
 

MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES

The community has reacted with shock following the attack.

Dorchester resident Sue Churchill said: “It’s very disturbing because you hear of knife crime in the news in big cities and now it’s right there on our doorstep. They clearly don’t care about being seen because there’s cameras there. They just put their hoods up and go around like they can do anything." 

Another resident, Wendy Hilton, said: “We don’t get anything like the amount of crime in the cities and big towns, so we are very lucky. We are very fortunate that it is such a rare thing because we live in such a safe community."

Dorchester Town Mayor Cllr David Taylor said: “I’m extremely shocked. It just doesn’t happen here very often, and I sincerely hope we get to the bottom of it and deal with the perpetrators. They should not be doing this on our streets, it’s the last thing we need in this town. 

“Thankfully it doesn’t look like it was life-threatening, but our thoughts go out to the victims and their families and I just hope the perpetrators are severely dealt with."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190015341. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.