EXTRA police patrols have been ordered in the wake of Swindon's latest stabbing.

The Eldene attack, in which a 20-year-old was stabbed in the chest by a teen gang on Wednesday, came days after Wiltshire Police launched a county-wide knife amnesty.

Supt Adrian Burt said he had stepped up patrols following the stabbing. He added: "Knife crime or violence of any kind will not be tolerated and our investigation into this incident is progressing.”

Residents on east Swindon cul-de-sac Kennedy Drive called 999 at around 4.15pm on Wednesday. A youth gang had set upon a man, 20, leaving him with a stab wound to his chest and head injuries. He was taken to Great Western Hospital and his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Detectives conducted house-to-house enquiries and a forensics officer had marked out what appeared to be chunks of red brick.

Three teenaged boys have been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Det Insp Helen Jacobs of Swindon CID said: "We believe this to be an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public. I would encourage anyone who saw the victim being assaulted or people running from the scene to speak to my team or call 101 with any information.”

One Kennedy Drive resident, 52, warned of a rise in youth violence around the Eldene area. He said: "I’ve had knives thrown into my garden, where they’ve clearly been chased and needed to get rid of it. I’m glad my daughter’s grown up and gone.”

On one occasion he said a teenager had threatened to stab him and had to be restrained by a friend, after the homeowner had asked the boy why he was kicking his garden fence panels.

“The police don’t do anything,” he said. “The police don’t have time for anything.”

In the past year, residents in Eldene have complained of a spate of thefts from cars. At a public meeting in the summer, one man warned the area was at risk of turning into a ghetto.

A 17-year-old boy was stabbed in the grounds of Eldene Primary School in March. Five people were arrested after drugs raids in May. Two months later, police appealed after an 18-year-old was attacked by a gang armed with weapons including a pole. The following week, officers flooded Eldene when a local teen was snatched by Park North man Billy Livingstone.

Speaking after the latest attack, Supt Adrian Burt said: “I can reassure local residents that we are taking this very seriously, I am aware of concerns around youth related issues and violence in the Eldene area and we are taking action with partners, we have increased our patrols and the community policing team are dedicated to helping ensure safety but we need your help.”

He called on those carrying knives to hand them in to Gablecross police station as part of the force’s current two-week knife amnesty.

Kevin Parry, chairman of Nythe, Eldene and Liden Parish Council, said: “Over the past couple of months it’s been concerning and we’ve seen a rise in these kind of activities. We’ve been working closely with the police, raising issues and local intelligence. We’re in weekly contact with the police.”

Residents could join the recently relaunched neighbourhood watch scheme for the area or a new street wardens group, Coun Parry said.