POLICE are appealing for the public's help to track down a gang of youths after a string of incidents across Hampshire which ended in a teenager being knifed.

A 19 year old was left with stab wounds after he was attacked in the street in Merryoak on Monday night.

Patrols have been stepped up patrols in the area while officers leading the inquiry have urged the public to help find all those responsible for what they are describing as "targeted attacks".

A 13-year-old boy, along with a 14-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy, a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man were all arrested but have since been released on bail.

Now police have revealed that those suspected of being involved in the stabbing were part of a gang that were involved in a street brawl and a robbery earlier that same evening.

Detective Inspector Rob Heath said: "Were you in or near St Mary's Road or Station Road in Netley at around 4pm on Monday? 

"Did you see a group of young people fighting or board a train at Netley Station? 

"We believe some of the group travelled by train to Sholing. 

"Did you see a group on Sholing Road, Merryoak Road or in Veracity Park on Monday evening?"

Police say they were initially called at 4.15pm on Monday to reports of a group of young people fighting in Station Road in Netley but the group dispersed when police arrived at the scene.

A 15-year-old boy was found to have suffered injuries to his arm and chest for which he was treated in hospital but his injuries were not believed to be serious.

Officers say they believe the group boarded a train at Netley and later arrived in Sholing, Southampton.

At 6.30pm a 15-year-old boy was threatened on Sholing Road by a group of boys and girls demanding the boy hand over his mobile phone, which he did.

Officers were later called at 8pm to Merryoak Road in Sholing to reports of a public order incident during which the 19-year-old man had suffered stabs wounds.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital by South Central Ambulance Service for treatment. His injuries were not considered to be life-threatening. A knife was recovered from the scene.

One resident of Merryoak Road, who did not want to be named, said: "We heard a lot of shouting and bellowing.

"There was someone lying in the middle of the grass bank and someone looked like they were leaning over them.

"There were about ten people out there at the time."

Detective Inspector Rob Heath from the Western Investigation Team said: “We believe these incidents are linked and that the attacks have been targeted.

"This kind of disorder will not be tolerated and we are following up all lines of inquiry to identify those involved."

Police particularly want to hear from anyone who may have been on a train on Monday after 4pm travelling west towards Southampton who may remember seeing a group of young people on board.

Another resident added: "You don't expect to hear about these kinds of things happening near you it's horrible and on a road with so many children and families living here it's really worrying."

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: "Get in contact, call 101 and quote 44160277925 for the Netley incident, 44160278151 for the robbery on Sholing Road and 44160277957 for the public order incident on Merryoak Road."

Alternatively, information can be given to Crimestoppers and leave information anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online.