A teenage boy and a woman in her 60s were injured in a knife attack by youths in the town centre yesterday afternoon.

What happened? 

The terrifying incident happened in broad daylight in front of shocked shoppers in Canal Walk at around 3.30pm.

Police were alerted after hearing about an altercation between two groups outside Foot Asylum in The Parade at 3.30pm. 

RECAP: Police race to scene of town centre stabbing

The victim was then chased to nearby JD Sports on Canal Walk where he was stabbed.

The boy was taken to hospital with a suspected knife wound but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening. 

The woman in her 60s was also caught up in the incident and suffered minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment.

Has anyone been arrested? 

A 17-year-old is being questioned by police on suspicion of affray and also for posession of class B drugs with intent to supply. 

What did police say?

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the serious assault and disorder and would especially like to hear from anyone who may have recorded footage of this incident.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

What did witnesses see?

Witnesses reported hearing screaming and then seeing six police cars and an ambulance appear at the scene.

One man was standing across the street when he heard screams.

He said: “It’s absolutely awful. I just heard screams and then sirens.

“It’s happened right between Christmas and new year which is unbelievable.”

What happened next? 

Around an hour after the incident occurred, staff at JD Sports were seen standing outside the shop pointing out areas to police.

Officers taped a cordon inside the store and an area outside in the middle of the street parallel to EE, Three and JD Sports.

Benches and trees were within the taped off area but the entrance to JD Sports was not incorporated.

Canal Walk was fairly busy just an hour after the incident as shoppers headed home with their post-Christmas bargains.

There was a sense of fear and shock that such an incident could have occurred in the middle of the day.