Portsmouth stabbing: Shopkeeper describes the moment man, 19, was stabbed in city centre

As previously reported in The News, a 19-year-old boy was rushed to hospital last night after being stabbed in Arundel Street, Portsmouth.

The teenager was reportedly leaving the gym with a friend when he was attacked.

Sian Marie Stott, owner of S&D Sparkles, was in her shop with friend Paula Clark when the attack happened.

Paula said: 'I heard this blood-curling scream come from outside.'

Sian added: 'He'd just come out of PureGym when these three lads came round the side and stabbed him.

'The knife was the biggest I've ever seen - the blade itself was about eight inches long and everyone was covered in blood.'

By the time the pair got outside, a Royal Navy sailor, a woman and a man in an orange t-shirt were already tending to the teenager.

Meanwhile, the attackers fled in the direction of Portsmouth and Southsea Railway Station.

Paula added that she has been in touch with the 19-year-old's family.

'From what I understand he's having surgery today (Saturday),' she said.

'I hope he makes a full recovery, we're all rooting for him.'

Police closed off Slindon Street, Arundel Street and Yapton Street after the attack, while PureGym went into lockdown, funneling visitors out of the back door.

Paula says the area has 'got worse' in recent years.

'There's something happening every other week here now,' she said.

'We need more CCTV cameras down here because there are so many blackspots.'

Police are urging anyone with information, or who has footage from a camera, to get in touch by calling 101, quoting the crime reference number 44210165339.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to our online coverage, including Pompey, for 27p a day.