A TEENAGE student has been slashed across the neck during a vicious unprovoked attack in Bournemouth town centre.

The 18-year-old, who’d been out with pals celebrating their A-level results, was attacked from behind early Friday morning.

Detectives say the weapon used was a “sharp bladed item”.

Two men, aged 56 and 59, have been arrested at an address in Bournemouth on suspicion of attempted murder. 

They are assisting officers with their enquiries.

The teenager was reportedly approached from behind by an unknown man and slashed from his lips to his neck.

He sustained a serious cut and was taken to hospital for treatment. He has since been released.

Friends said the teen, who works at a Bournemouth restaurant as a chef while studying at college, had been left with a wound requiring 49 stitches.

His boss said: “It is terrible, I’m very concerned for him. When his brother called in [Friday] morning to say they wouldn’t be able to come to work, I didn’t realise how serious it was.

“It’s absolutely awful, he’s only just 18 so it’s new for him to be going out.

“It makes Bournemouth town centre seem unsafe and makes me apprehensive about my own daughter going out.”

Emergency services were called to Old Christchurch Road, close to Horseshoe Common, just after 6.30am. A manhunt for the offender was quickly launched involving armed police and officers from the dog section.

Detective Constable Matt Cooke, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This was a serious and unprovoked assault.

“I would ask anyone who witnessed the incident and has yet to speak to officers to please contact Dorset Police.”

Police released CCTV images of the suspect yesterday and warned anyone who saw him not to approach him.

Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be carrying out high-visibility patrols in the coming days and can be approached with any community concerns.

The attack is the latest in a string of violent town centre incidents in Bournemouth in recent weeks.

On Sunday, a couple in their 20s were assaulted in Bournemouth Square.

Meanwhile, last Friday dozens of police officers were called to Pier Approach to reports of a ‘public order incident’ involving drunken teens.