A teenage boy and a woman in her 60s have been injured in a Swindon knife attack.
Emergency services were called reports of a broad daylight stabbing in Canal Walk at around 3.30pm this afternoon (30 December).
One of the victims, a teenage boy, was reportedly given first aid by staff in JD Sports – where he and other friends sought refuge.
He is said to have suffered a knife wound to the back, but police say he is expected to recover from his injuries.
The other victim, a woman in her 60s, is understood to have suffered a knife injury whilst attempting to intervene in the attack.
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A witness says they were in JD Sports, where staff provided emergency first aid to a male with a stab wound – who had run to the store for help.
“A group of teens came running in and one had been stabbed in the back”, they said.
Continuing: “We got locked inside the shop and the victim was bleeding severely at the front of the shop. The staff in JD were very hands-on with the young lad [as they provided first aid].”
Wiltshire Air Ambulance circled the area several times before landing in Faringdon Road Park to respond to the incident.
Other ambulance resources at the scene included two ambulances, an ambulance incident commander and an air ambulance critical care response vehicle.
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A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “We are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Swindon town centre.
“Shortly after 3.30pm today (30/12) we received reports from members of the public of a disorder involving a number of youths outside the Foot Asylum shop in Canal Walk.
“A teenage boy has been taken to hospital for a suspected knife wound. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
“A woman, in her 60s, was caught up in the incident and received minor injuries which thankfully did not require hospital treatment.
“We would particularly like to hear from anyone who may have recorded footage of this incident.
“If you can help please call us on 101 quoting log 175 of today (30/12). In an emergency please call 999.”
A large section of Canal Walk has since been cordoned off as a crime scene as police launched a probe into the serious assault.
The suspects involved reportedly fled the scene immediately following, with a police search underway in central Swindon.
