Police are hunting for a teenager who is believed to have stabbed a fellow teen in Watford town centre earlier this week.

An 18-year-old was found with a stab wound in the high street at 7.35pm on Tuesday (July 19), with people reporting a police cordon in the Charter Place area.

He was treated by members of staff at the YMCA hostel and security at Atria Watford until emergency services arrived.

After being taken to hospital, his injuries were described as not life-changing or life-threatening.

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No arrests have been made but police have issued a description of a suspect, who is said to have been with two other males at the time.

He is described as black with curly hair and thought to be aged in his teens.

The suspect was wearing a grey t-shirt with black shorts that had a white stripe down the side. He was also carrying a white bag on his shoulder.

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Detective Inspector Chris Parperi said: “We are conducting extensive enquiries in our efforts to identify the offender. The early stages of our investigation suggests that this initiated as an altercation between a number of people, which then escalated into serious violence.

“I would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information that may assist with our enquiries, to please get in touch as a matter of urgency.”

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Chief Inspector for Watford Diane Whiteside added: “I understand that news of this nature will be concerning to local residents, but please be assured that my officers and detectives are working round the clock, alongside our partner organisations, in order to progress this investigation so that the offender(s) can be dealt with accordingly.

“I know there is some concern among our communities about increased violence and anti-social behaviour in Watford in recent weeks.

“We have had a number of positive results where offenders have been swiftly identified and arrested – including two arrests made over the weekend in connection with an affray after a video clip of an assault in the town centre was shared on social media, and a further two arrests made following an arson in Garsmouth Way.”

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Chief Insp Whiteside said daily patrols have increased throughout Watford this week coinciding with National Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to visit the Hertfordshire Constabulary website or call 101, quoting crime reference 41/57854/22.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit https://crimestoppers-uk.org/