A MAJOR police probe was underway today after a man was stabbed inside a block of flats in Hampshire.

Officers are stood guard outside the block in Redbridge, Southampton, where a large police cordon remains in place following the incident which happened last night.

Speculation has been rife within the community about the nature of what Hampshire police had initially only deascribed as "an incident".

They have now confirmed that a man suffered stab wounds and a woman has been arrested and is being held in custody today.

Neighbours told how the area, opposite Redbridge fire station, had been a hive of activity with several police vehicles on the scene.

They described how emergency services had descended on flats in Redbridge Hill, after being called at around 6.45pm last night.

Lines of police tape have been put up around the ground floor area of the flats and a police car remains guarding the scene.

One of the flats has tape and bollards across the door.

Residents they had seen many cars and an ambulance at the scene.

One said the rumour going round was that there had been a stabbing.

Another told the Daily Echo she spoke to people at the scene around 7.30pm last night and was told a woman had stabbed a man.

She said: "I left and went home to see to my kids is quite scary knowing someone has been stabbed right on your doorstep."

Police initially confirmed there had been "an incident" and said the victim is not believed to be in a life threatening condition.

In a statement released just after 12.30pm, a spokesman for Hampshire police said: "We can confirm detectives are investigating an alleged assault on a man at a block of flats in the Redbridge Hill area of Southampton.

"Police were called shortly before 7pm yesterday evening.

"A woman was arrested last night on suspicion of the assault, and she remains in police custody for questioning today.



"The victim was taken to hospital where he is receiving medical attention for stab injuries. His condition is described as serious but stable.

"The investigation so far has established that the man and woman, both of adult ages, are known to each other, and that there is no wider risk to the public.

"Officers are carrying out further enquiries in the community today to confirm the full circumstances of the alleged assault."