IMAGES have been released of two people police would like to speak to in relation to a stabbing in Bournemouth.

Dorset Police received a report that at around 11.50pm on Tuesday, June 8, an 18-year-old man had sustained a stab wound to the chest after being assaulted in Lower Gardens.

It was reported that the victim had been walking in the gardens toward Bournemouth Pier with two friends when they walked past a man and a woman who were sitting on a bench.

As they walked past, the man reportedly began shouting and got up and assaulted the victim before he and the woman made off in the direction of Bournemouth Square.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment but has since been discharged and is making a positive recovery.

Following initial enquiries by Bournemouth CID, an 18-year-old man from Bournemouth and a 16-year-old girl from Poole were arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail. They have since both been released from police bail without charge.

Detective Inspector Shaun Inkpen, of Bournemouth CID, said: “While this incident was now more than two months ago, we continue to investigate what is a serious assault and have undertaken numerous lines of enquiries, including an extensive trawl of CCTV footage.

“I am now in a position to release images of a man and woman we would like to speak to as part of our investigation. I appreciate their faces cannot be clearly seen but I am hoping someone may recognise them from their general build and clothing, or it may prompt someone’s memory if they witnessed anything that specific night.

“The man pictured is believed to be black and wearing a face mask and the woman is white with blonde hair tied up and believed to be aged in her 20s. Both are seen to exit the Lower Gardens shortly after the incident and walk along Westover Road and enter the Royal Bath Hotel. I am keen to speak to these individuals as I believe they have vital information that will assist the investigation.

“Following our initial appeals for information, we received a number of responses and I would particularly like to thank those who assisted the victim after the incident and those who came forward and assisted us with our enquiries.

“Local officers from the neighbourhood policing team continue to conduct enhanced patrols in the area of the gardens and the seafront and we have been working closely with our partners to ensure increased CCTV coverage in the vicinity.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email to 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210091147.