A boy aged 19 has been taken to hospital following a stabbing in the High Street at around 7.30pm.

Witness reports of a police cordon in the Charter Place area.

Members of the YMCA staff treated him at the hostel aloneg with Atria Watford security until emergency services arrived.

Watford Police quickly responded to the incident and enquiries are ongoing while hunting for a teenager who stabbed the teen.

Fortunately the victim’s injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

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.”

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.”

Any witnesses who have not already spoken to police are asked to call 101 quoting crime reference 41/57854/22.