A TEENAGER was treated for multiple stab wounds after he was attacked on his way into work.

The 18-year-old was walking into an estate agents on Portswood Road when he was assaulted from behind by two men wearing scarves covering their faces.

According to witnesses the victim was then knifed a number of times including in his buttocks and suffered wounds to his arms as he tried to defend himself.

Ben Watts, manager at the Property Vibe estate agency said he arrived at work shortly after 9am to find his colleague in the shop injured.

“There was blood dripping down his legs and thigh and from his tricep and he was bleeding all over the floor.

“It seemed like adrenalin was kicking in and he hadn’t realised what had happened because he was wanting to get back in his car and go after them.

“I couldn’t believe it happened at that time of the morning.”

The area around Portswood Road and Gordon Avenue was cordoned off for several hours while police gathered evidence from the crime scene.

The community has spoken of their shock at the stabbing.

A 72-year-old trader saw two men in balaclavas and dressed in black approaching the teenager as he was opening up the shop door: “I have never seen anything like it, I saw these two men in balaclavas and two minutes later they were running down the street. It makes you feel vulnerable.”

James Duggan, 25, who works nearby, said: “I know the guy who was stabbed as a really friendly person so I was shocked when I heard what had happened. I cannot believe that something like this would happen in broad daylight and in the middle of the street. It is shocking and really worrying.”

Landlord of the Gordon Arms pub David Stoner said: “It has shocked me that it happened on my doorstep.”

South Central Ambulance Service confirmed that an ambulance was called to the incident just after 9am on Wednesday to treat a man for arm and leg wounds.

The teenager was treated in hospital before being released after surgeons treated his wounds. He was discharged later that day having received almost 40 stitches and is now recovering at home.

Detective Constable Esra Phillipson-Masters said: “Portswood Road would have been busy at this time of day. We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed what happened to contact us.”

The suspects were described as black and wearing ‘beanie’ style hats with scarves covering their faces.

A police spokesman said the investigation was in its early stages and the incident was not currently being linked to any other incidents Anyone with information should contact Bitterne CID on 101.

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