The 28-year-old man was rushed to hospital after being attacked in Grange Road, Hartlepool, at around 6pm yesterday.


Armed police then swooped on Joicey Court and Straker Street, in the Murray Street area of Hartlepool, around an hour later where four people were arrested.

The victim was taken to hospital where his condition has been described as stable.

Shocked residents in the Young Street, Straker Street and Joicey Court areas have told how a squad of police vehicles descended on their community.

Officers were armed with guns and shields during the operation that lasted for around 45 minutes last night.

One pensioner, who lives in Young Street and did not wish to be named, said: "My daughter was going out the door and she came back in and said 'have you seen all the armed police outside?'

"We thought it might have been a raid in Straker Street, but the police were in different places. They were here for about three quarters of an hour.

"The story goes that somebody got stabbed."

Another anonymous woman, also from Young Street, said: "A police van pulled up and about four cars. The police got out with guns."

A mum from Straker Street added: "The police were here with vans, marksmen, dogs and black shields, then they went round Joicey Court.
"Someone is meant to have had a knife."

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "We are still investigating, but I can confirm there has been an incident in Grange Road where a male was stabbed.

"The victim is a 28-year-old man, he is in hospital, but his injuries are not life-threatening.

"We have arrested four people in their 20s and 30s."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident and anyone with information is asked to call Hartlepool Police on (01642) 301326 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.