RESIDENTS have described their shock after a teenager was stabbed in an attack in a Southampton park.

A teenager was stabbed three times during a late-night knife attack in Riverside Park, Bitterne.

Emergency services were called after the 17-year-old as attacked in a grassy area of the park on Friday and was rushed to Southampton General Hospital.

Police have launched a hunt for the attackers and yesterday issued an appeal for any witnesses to come forward.

They also said the teenager's injuries were not life threatening and that he was in a "stable" condition in hospital.

The the park is popular with dog walkers, families and runners.

Bitterne resident, Brian Winbourne who was in the area at the time walking his dog, said: “I saw some police officers on Friday night there were several cars going up and down near to the skate park. It is not nice to know the stabbing happened. I live nearby and it is unsettling as I go out walking in the park often. It is sickening.”

James Horn, 18, a student from Bitterne Park , added: “It comes as a shock to hear there was a stabbing. I come here pretty much every day to go running and it’s generally a quiet area. However sometimes I see gangs of teenagers. I think there could be more police in the area.”

Detective constable Michael Higgins, said: “We’re appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, or anyone who has any information about what happened. We’re following several lines of enquiry to locate those responsible. We encourage anyone with information to come forward and speak to us at the earliest opportunity.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.