A 16-YEAR-OLD girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was stabbed in the chest in a Dorset park.

The victim - an 18-year-old man - remains in a critical condition following the late-night incident at Bournemouth's Lower Gardens on Tuesday.

Now police have renewed their appeal for witnesses and they are particularly keen to speak to a potential witness who helped at the scene.

Police in the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, following an incident late at night on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Picture: Jane Reader

Police in the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, following an incident late at night on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Picture: Jane Reader

Dorset Police received a report that at around 11.50pm on Tuesday June 8 an 18-year-old man had sustained a stab wound to the chest after being assaulted in Lower Gardens.

It was reported that the victim had been walking in the gardens toward Bournemouth Pier with two friends when they walked past a man and a woman who were sitting on a bench.

As they walked past, the man reportedly began shouting and got up and assaulted the victim before he and the woman made off in the direction of Bournemouth Square.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment and remains in a critical but stable condition.

Following enquiries, a 16-year-old girl from Poole has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and she is assisting detectives with their enquiries.

BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833. .Pic: CorinMesser/BNPS..Pictured: Crime scene investigators at work in the main police cordon in Bournemouth Lower Gardens this morning. ..A teenager is fighting for his life today after being stabbed in an unprovoked attack in

BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833. .Pic: CorinMesser/BNPS..Pictured: Crime scene investigators at work in the main police cordon in Bournemouth Lower Gardens this morning. ..A teenager is fighting for his life today after being stabbed in an unprovoked attack in

Detective Inspector Shaun Inkpen, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We are continuing to investigate this incident and I would again urge anyone with information that might assist our investigation to please come forward and speak with the investigative team.

“It was reported that a black female assisted the victim’s friends when they were making a 999 call to police at the scene, but we have not been able to identify this individual. We are particularly keen to speak to her as she may have valuable information that assists the investigation.

Police in the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, following an incident late at night on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Picture: Jane Reader

Police in the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, following an incident late at night on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Picture: Jane Reader

“Officers have been carrying out increased patrols in the area and can be approached by any members of the public with information or concerns in relation to this incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55210091147, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.