A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after a stabbing at a Hitchin nature reserve yesterday afternoon.

Police have asked the public to remain vigilant after the alleged attack, which took place when two women were walking in Oughtonhead Common at about 4.40pm.

One of the women – who is in her 20s and lives in Luton – was allegedly stabbed in the stomach my a man who was walking in the opposite direction. She was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage to be treated for her injuries – described as superficial wounds – and required stitching as a result.

A 47-year-old man from Hitchin has been arrested on suspicion of assault and is in police custody. However, police are continuing to make enquiries and would urgently like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time, or who has any information at all about the incident.

Investigating officer Det Con Kathryn Marshall, from the Hitchin Local Crime Unit, said: “First and foremost, I would like to reassure the public that this is a highly unusual incident in a quiet area of Hitchin, however the public are asked to remain vigilant.

“At the time of the incident there were lots of visitors to The Common and I would ask if you were there please contact me as soon as possible – in particular a female walking a black dog, a male and female with two children and a group of young people swimming in the river.”

Anyone with any information in relation to this incident is asked to contact Det Con Marshall via the police non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference number G1/16/1372.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.