An 18-year-old has been stabbed in Watford after two men wearing balaclavas pulled up next to him on a motorbike and tried to rob another man he was with this weekend.

The victim, who remains in hospital, was stabbed in the torso as he waited with another man, also 18, at the junction of Peace Drive and Cassiobury Drive, between 7.40pm and 8.15pm on Saturday.

Detectives in Watford are appealing for witnesses and information following the terrifying incident.

Seconds before the stabbing, two men got off the blue bike and one of them spoke to one of the victims. He then proceeded to search him and go through his pockets. Nothing was taken, but the same man then stabbed the second victim in the torso before both men left the scene on the motorbike.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Andy Metselaar said: “We are hoping that someone may have witnessed the incident or saw the offenders on the bike around this time. Only one of the men was wearing a crash helmet, but they were both wearing balaclavas.

“The victim is currently being treated in hospital where he remains in a stable condition."

“If you think you have any information which could help our investigation, please get in touch as soon as possible. If you wish to remain anonymous you can report information through Crimestoppers using their untraceable reporting system.”

You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the force communications room via the online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/15867/24.

To use Crimestoppers call on 0800 555 111 or use their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.