CALLS have been made for more support for young people after a teenager was stabbed in the city centre.

A 19-year-old man is fighting for his life following an attack in Ascupart Street.

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries and is still being treated. Police are investigating and a large cordon was in place yesterday.

Residents and community members from the St Mary's area told the Echo the stabbing is "concerning" and said more should be done to prevent future stabbings.

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Gino Piccinino, chair of Inner City Boxing in St Mary Street, said: "This is an example of poor governing in the local area as young people have nowhere to go or activities to do.

"This incident makes me think maybe we should change the hours we open so we do not put any of our kids in jeopardy.

Daily Echo: Gino Piccinino, chair of Inner City BoxingGino Piccinino, chair of Inner City Boxing

"It is concerning and the city council should do more about it.  

"This is exactly what we advocate for at the boxing club – trying to get the children to release their stress and problems at the gym rather than doing anything, like this stabbing, on the streets."

It comes following two previous stabbings in the same area in less than a year.

Youth worker Parveen Ishfaq, who is heavily involved in the St Mary's community, said incidents like this can be prevented.

The 53-year-old said: "We can prevent this from happening but we have to educate young people and give them someone they can turn and go to. They don’t have to be in school to learn.

"Young people are very vulnerable and I think the youth services that were closed by the council need to return.

"For me, every life matters, whether you are old or young, it doesn’t matter."

A former St Mary's resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I am born and bred St Mary’s, but this is not the community that I have come from.

"This community was destroyed many years ago. I grew up here and we were safe." 

A resident who did not want to be unnamed said education is vital. She added: “I am quite shocked and horrified, but stabbings and knife crime are on the rise.

“To make it safer, there needs to be more police in the area and better education for people for the awareness of knife crime.

“The police gave a talk at the college to highlight what is going on in people’s areas regarding crime like this, and the statistics are quite shocking.”

Bargate ward councillor John Noon added: “I appreciate the view that more needs to be done to support young people. Youth provisions are dire and we need to improve it.”

The stabbing happened on Monday night at around 8pm.

Call 101 quoting 44220102826 if you have any information.