A community leader has described a recent stabbing which has left many residents ‘frightened’ as a ‘real rarity.’

Police said a man was stabbed on Canberra Road in Littlemoor, Weymouth on Saturday evening.

The victim – aged in his 30s – was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries that are not life-threatening.

A woman aged in her 30s, also sustained an injury to her hand during the incident that required hospital treatment.

Following enquiries police said yesterday that a 20-year-old Weymouth man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Sasha Knott-Fancy, Police Key Community Contact for Littlemoor, co-chair of Top Club and volunteer at Big4Littlemoor said: “It’s a real rarity – it’s not something that happens often. I hope the people involved are okay.

“The police have kept it very much on a need-to-know basis. It has been very quiet.

“On Saturday evening there was an awful lot of activity on the estate, but it all went back to normal quite quickly.”

As part of her role, Sasha liaises with the police regarding crime statistics in the area and any ongoing issues.

She added: “Littlemoor is primarily a safe place. It’s not something that happens often and obviously people were frightened.

“We haven’t had trouble on the estate for a long time. We have had an increase in CCTV so it seems to be going in the right direction, but when this happens, it’s not a great thing for anywhere.”

The stabbing led to a major response on Saturday with armed police officers at the scene as well as the NPAS police helicopter, several response cars and ambulances.

Roads around the Littlemoor estate were blocked off as forensic examinations were carried out and the injured were treated.

READ MORE: Manhunt after man stabbed on Canberra Road 

Detective Inspector Andy Marsh, of Dorset County CID, said: “We are continuing to investigate this incident and I would like to renew my appeal for anyone with information that might assist us to please come forward.

“There will continue to be an increased policing presence in the vicinity and members of the public can approach officers if they have any information or concerns.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240066462. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.