Residents say they are '˜not shocked' about Gosport stabbing '“ and '˜expect' such incidents

A 41-year-old man was assaulted on Mill Pond Road at about 10pm last night. He was stabbed three times in the thigh, and was taken to QA Hospital afterwards.

One resident is calling for more police presence in the area, to deter bad behaviour.

The 76-year-old lives in a house opposite Mill Pond Road. He said: ‘I don’t think this was a random attack, there are a lot of problems around here which involve the people that live here, but this is the first time there’s been a stabbing in the area, it’s never been like this before.

‘I’m not surprised or shocked this has happened. Crime is common here, my car has been damaged lots of times.

‘I think the police need to be out and about in the area more, you used to be able to see PCSOs walking around, but not now.’

The victim’s condition is described as serious, but stable. It’s believed the two suspects left in a silver vehicle.

A 38-year-old Mill Pond Road resident who wishes to remain anonymous, said: ‘I’m just not shocked at all, there’s a home down the road that’s raided by police on a regular basis so there’s always police down here.

‘I live with my kids and luckily they were in bed, but honestly, the news of the stabbing hasn’t shocked me at all, which is really sad.

‘Nothing to this extent has happened down the road that I know of, but I’m still not surprised, it’s Gosport – you expect it. Usually there are drug-related problems down the road.’

But 31-year-old Chris Todd, who has lived down the road for one year, said he thinks the area is ‘generally okay’.

Mr Todd said: ‘My partner was in last night, she heard someone screaming and our dog Buster kept crying, and then police officers knocked our door and took a statement from her.

‘She was quite worried because she was on her own. I came home from work and couldn’t park down the road, I had to go around the corner.

‘It’s not nice but at the same time things like this happen everywhere.

‘You could live in Alverstoke and someone could get stabbed.’

Anyone who saw the two men or the vehicle in the area should contact Det Con Paul Stenton at Fratton Police Station by calling 101 and quoting 44170253104, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.