A MAN suffered serious neck injuries in an alleged machete attack in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The victim, in his 40s, was attacked at an address on Bournemouth’s Beaufort estate.

Two houses were later cordoned off by police, with scenes of crime officers at the site for several hours.

Shocked neighbours told of a disturbance in the middle of the night.

The incident took place in Beaufort Road, near The Rookery play area, at around 3.30am.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, described being woken up by the early hours drama.

She told the Daily Echo: “I was woken up by a man shouting, then I heard a woman screaming.

“There was a very loud banging noise and at one point it was so loud I thought someone was hammering on my front door.

“When I came downstairs I realised it was coming from another house.

“The police and ambulance service arrived, but no one told us what was going on.”

Another neighbour said she had heard someone running up and down a nearby alleyway.

Several police vehicles were at the scene. 

Officers carried out detailed investigations, going in and out of two neighbouring properties, which were both taped off.

A machete is thought to have been involved in the attack, police confirmed on Sunday morning.

One resident also said that they thought such a knife had been used.

Later, a spokesman for Dorset Police said: “Police were called at 3.20am on Sunday, October 25, to reports of a serious assault at an address on Beaufort Road, Bournemouth.

“A man in his 40s suffered serious neck injuries and is currently being treated in hospital. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.”

He said detectives were now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A 52-year-old London man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently assisting officers with their enquiries.