COMMUNITY figures have expressed sympathies for a man injured in a reported stabbing incident in Weymouth.

Dorset Police said the victim is aged 20 and that he sustained injuries to his hand. Police have described the incident as an alleged robbery.

The incident happened at around 10.15pm on Wednesday in the area of Wyke Gardens off Portland Road, Wyke Regis.

The park remained cordoned off yesterday and police maintained a heavy presence in the area while they continued investigations.

A member of the public who was in the area near Wyke Gardens at the time said: "I saw a lad calling to the ambulance that someone had been stabbed. The paramedics went to the injured person and they all went to the ambulance."

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service Trust said: "We were called to Portland Road, Weymouth to an incident. We sent an ambulance and a senior paramedic to the scene."

Rhos Thompson, landlord of the Wyke Smugglers pub said there was a strong police presence in the area by around 10.30pm.

He said: "A member of staff was outside and saw emergency services arrive.

"There were police vans and paramedics using the car park outside Tesco and parked in the bus stop.

"It's usually a strong community - we don't want people to feel unsafe."

"Kids round here are usually pretty respectful - I chat to them when I walk my dog in the park - they're very protective of the commemorative poppies on lamp posts as they feel it's part of Wyke. It's rare that we see trouble - there's very little vandalism or graffiti."

Weymouth Mayor Cllr Graham Winter expressed sympathies for the victim.

He said: "I was very upset to hear of this attack," he said. "I hope the person makes a swift recovery and that the police are able to apprehend the attacker as soon as possible.

"I would urge anyone with information to contact the police as soon as possible. Fortunately this sort of thing doesn't happen very often in Weymouth."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We are currently investigating a report of a robbery that occurred at around 10.15pm on Wednesday, September 25 in the area of Wyke Gardens off Portland Road in Weymouth.

"During the incident the victim, a local man aged 20, sustained injuries to his hand and was taken to hospital for treatment.

"Officers attended and carried out a search of the area, but no suspects were located.

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this stage."