VIOLENCE returned to the streets of Boscombe on Monday night when a man was repeatedly stabbed outside a Bournemouth restaurant.

Emergency services were alerted at 5.40pm after the victim was knifed four times in the body and neck in Christchurch Road, Boscombe.

A Dorset Police spokesman said two men had initially been seen talking outside the Yeah Man Caribbean café.

He added: “A dispute suddenly erupted into violence with one of the men setting about the other in a seemingly unprovoked attack.”

The victim, a local man, was hit several times and repeat-edly stabbed. The spokesman added: “He tried to flee from his attacker by running through the café for safety.

“But he was pursued by the other male and another man who joined in. The attack continued into the café and through to the kitchen where the victim tried to escape.”

When a member of staff yelled at the attacker to get out of the premises the two men made off down Palmerston Road. The cool-headed restaurant employee then administered first-aid until paramedics arrived.

The police spokesman said: “Thankfully the victim’s injuries are not life-threatening.”

The attack happened just a fortnight after 25-year-old Nick Verron was left with life-threatening injuries after being stabbed in the head at nearby Roumelia Lane.

A 17-year-old youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has appeared in court charged with his attempted murder.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack to phone 01202 222222 or the free and anonymous Crimestop-pers line on 0800 555111.