From Preston Police – You may have seen emergency services in Preston this afternoon, or seen rumours on social media, so we wanted to explain what happened.

We were called at around 3.30pm to reports a man aged in his 20s had been assaulted by several other males on Grafton Street, close to Fishergate Hill.

We attended and found the man had been stabbed to his lower back. He was taken by air ambulance to hospital, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

At this time we believe the parties involved were all known to each other and this was a targeted attack.

No arrests have been made as yet but an investigation is underway and we are asking anybody with information to get in touch with us straight away.

DI Chris Wellard, of Preston Police, said: “At this time we are treating this as a targeted attack and believe there is no wider threat to the public.

“However, this was a serious attack on someone who has been left with critical injuries and we would appeal to anybody who saw it, captured any part of it on their phones or who knows who may be involved, to get in touch straight away.

“We will have extra patrols in the area for reassurance and anybody with concerns is welcome to speak to an officer.”

Anybody with information is asked to call 101, quoting log 1046 of June 5th.