POLICE are looking for a group of teenagers after a Portuguese man was stabbed in the stomach in West Swindon.

The 27-year-old man was out with his wife and a friend and they were just preparing to leave Toothill Village Centre on Friday night when they were set upon by the gang of two men and two women.

Police say the attack may have been sparked by a scuffle in the Village Tavern pub earlier that evening and they want to hear from drinkers but also people in the car park at closing time when the stabbing took place.

The couple were about to get into their red Peugeot when the youths attacked.

Police say the man's injuries are not life threatening, but they are keen to find the attackers.

Officers believe they may be local to the Toothill and Freshbrook area.

Residents said they were surprised by the ferociousness of the attack. One said: "It's not the most peaceful neighbourhood but for someone to be stabbed is awful, it seems very violent for around here.

Another said: "It's a bit of a surprise, you don't really expect that sort of behaviour around here."

Det Sgt Bob Cooper, of Swindon police, said: "We are very keen to receive help from the community and we are convinced that the offenders in this incident will be known locally.

"This was a very nasty incident and seemingly unprovoked and I would encourage anyone who saw the scuffle or the incident that followed outside the village centre, please call us and assist us with our inquiries."

Police only have vague descriptions of the attackers.

The two men are said to be white, in their late teens, slim and wearing casual clothing.

The two women were white and also in their late teens.

The incident comes just a few weeks after a man was shot in the face and a group of up to 40 youths left a trail of damage across the Toothill area.

Anyone with information is asked to call Swindon police on 0845 408 7000.