A 27-year-old man was stabbed yesterday at Jackmans Recreational Ground in Letchworth – and police have now appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The incident, which police are investigating as a GBH, happened at about 5.30pm yesterday, and came after the victim was involved in a standoff between two groups of men. Police were called to an address in Jarden about 10 minutes later.

The ambulance service sent the hazardous area response team, an ambulance officer and crew and an East Anglian Air Ambulance. The victim was treated for injuries to the back and arm before being taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage for further care. He remains in hospital.

Officers investigating are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to get in touch with information.

They are particularly keen to speak with a male witness who tried to break up the altercation and reportedly had a gold-coloured Staffordshire bull terrier or similar dog with him.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting crime reference number G2/16/1764, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.