Lewes Waitrose cordoned off after stabbing

Waitrose was sealed off and the store was closed

Waitrose was cordoned off and a teenager was taken to hospital with a stab wound after a fight in Lewes.

Scene of crime officers went to the upmarket supermarket on Saturday night.

Sussex Police said they were called to an altercation involving a large group of youths - about 20 had gathered outside the store in Eastgate Street.

After police carried out investigations inside the shop, Waitrose confirmed the incident was not in the supermarket but said the victim came in seeking help.

A Waitrose spokesman said an off-duty paramedic who was in the shop at the time helped staff attend to the victim.

Staff called for an ambulance and the police and the store was closed early to allow emergency services to carry out their work.

"We are thankful that the gentleman is making a good recovery and must praise our partners, the off-duty paramedic, ambulance service and police for their swift action," he said.

Scene of crime officers carried out investigations inside the shop

At the scene: BBC reporter Nathalie Edell

There were at least half a dozen police cars, Waitrose was shut and a wide area around it cordoned off. A police officer would not tell me what had happened but he said it was serious.

Locals arriving at the shop were being directed away, while officers were speaking to a number of young teenagers, one of whom, a girl, was crying.

Inside the cordon, a teenager was being spoken to by officers. He appeared to have been handcuffed.

At the side of the store, another teenager was being asked to empty his pockets.

A Sussex Police spokesman said an incident in the town involving a large group of youths resulted in one being stabbed and two others sustaining minor injuries.

The youths had gathered outside outside the store shortly after 18:00 GMT.

A 16-year-old local boy was taken to hospital in Brighton with a knife wound to his left leg, but was discharged after treatment.

The two other boys who were injured were also local, and aged 15 and 16.

Police believe three boys, aged 16, 15 and 14, all from Brighton, may have been responsible.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the force.