A 16-year-old boy is in a stable condition in hospital after suffering an abdominal injury yesterday evening.

Police were called to an incident in Verulamium Park, St Albans at 7pm to reports of an altercation between two groups.

The air ambulance was called, with the injured boy taken to hospital, where he remains.

Chief inspector Stuart Orton said: “I understand that news of this will have caused concern among the local community.

“I would like to reassure you that we believe this is an isolated incident involving young people who are known to each other and significant enquiries are on-going by officers to identify those responsible.”

If you have any information contact Herts Police via the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/8052/18 or report online at herts.police.uk/Report.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or anonymous online at crimestoppers-uk.org.