A woman has described how she chased two youths through Woolwich's General Gordon Square after they stabbed a man in the back.

Witnesses claim  trouble broke out in the busy square on Sunday (July 6) after the "boys" had argued with their 26-year-old victim at Woolwich Arsenal station.

One man claimed the victim was stabbed with his own knife after grabbing one of the youths by his neck.

But another wtiness said: "The man was really struggling to get away. They grabbed at his clothes but he wanaged to run.  He was obviously in a desperate state.

"He must have kicked them and broken away from them. As he ran I saw another boy chase him and he had a knife in his hand.

"Afterwards they ran staright over the road again and down a side road."

A woman, who did not want to be named, told News Shopper she had pursued the stabbers but they managed to get away from her.

She said: "I chased the two boys across the square to a black gate which they jumped over and removed their clothing. 

"I am shocked that they have not been caught as they obviously know Woolwich well to know where to run and also where they would have come out. There is a CCTV camera there. I would definitely recognise both of them again."

Greenwich police are appealing for witnesses to the attack which happened in General Gordon Square, near Greens End, at 4.50pm.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and a man was rushed to a south London hospital suffering a stab wound to his back.

A spokesman for Greenwich police said: "His injury is not thought to be life threatening. He remains in hospital at this time."

There have been no arrests so far.

Police are asking anyone who was in the area and that may have seen anything to contact them.

Anyone with information should call CID at Plumstead police station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Did you see what happened? Call the newsroom on 01689 885714 or email mchandler@london.newsquest.co.uk