A MAN has been arrested following a stabbing at a homeless hostel in Ellesmere Port.
Cheshire police officers were called to the Stoak Lodge Hostel, Stoak Gardens, at 6.58pm on Monday, January 14, following reports of a disturbance.
A 19-year-old male victim was found to have two puncture wounds and a 21-year-old fellow resident was arrested at scene.
It is believed the kitchen knife used in the stabbing was thrown out of the window of the room where the alleged offence took place, and was later recovered by police.
A spokesman for Cheshire Constabulary said: “A 21-year-old man from Ellesmere Port was arrested on suspicion of a Section 18 wounding and released on police bail pending further enquiries.
“The victim was treated at the Countess of Chester Hospital and later released.”
Ellesmere Port town councillor Justin Madders said the incident has caused concern.
He said: “Obviously some of the people who use the hostel are in very difficult circumstances and if they are moved away from Chester to Ellesmere Port that can cause issues. Hopefully it was just one of those things.
“I have been assured that the incident was dealt with professionally and police were satisfied by the response, but it’s something we will need to be vigilant of. If this is something that has been happening we need to ensure that safeguards are in place.”
John Marsland, head of services for Foundation Enterprise, which has run Stoak Lodge since last November, said: “There are regulations we have with reporting procedures and an on-call officer is on standby if needed.
“However, in this case the staff were on the ball and police and ambulance services were called.
“We have had a feedback meeting with the police and were told we did everything we could. The injuries were superficial and the incident is an ongoing police case.”
