York police are today appealing for witnesses after a knife-wielding gang of young thugs attacked two men as they walked home through the city streets.

The two 21-year-old victims received stab wounds to their upper arms and legs after they were approached by three teenage boys and a girl in Neville Street, in the Groves.

The wounds were inflicted by three young men who singled out their victims in an unprovoked attack. One of the men needed 12 stitches after being stabbed with a long-bladed knife in his lower back.

The second victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, also needed hospital treatment for slash wounds to his arms.

He says he has lived in the area all his life and never thought twice about walking through the Groves.

"It was completely unnecessary and we were only lucky we didn't end up with more serious wounds," he said. "They had shouted something over and we had shouted back and the next thing a blonde lad with thick glasses pulled a knife and stabbed me twice in the arm.

"I turned around and saw my friend get stabbed in the back by the other two and then they ran off."

All the members of the gang are believed to be aged between 16 and 17 years.

The first assailant was wearing a wearing a light-coloured sweatshirt and baseball cap.One of the two youths, who attacked the second man, is described as black and was wearing a hat and a white or cream top.

The third white youth was seen wearing a blue sports top with writing across the front. A girl, who was with the gang but took no part in the attack, had long brown hair.

Sergeant Colin Ventress said police believed the youths may be known to people living in the area and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

"It is fortunate these two young men suffered no worse injuries," said Sgt Ventress.

"There was apparently no motive for this vicious attack and we would ask anyone who has any information to contact York police as soon as possible."

The attack happened at about 7pm last Wednesday.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.