SIX youths were arrested at the weekend after a second stabbing in the St Stephen's area of Canterbury in two months.

At around 12.30am on Saturday, an 18-year-old man was stabbed in the chest near a telephone box in St Stephen's Green.

The wound was not as deep as at first feared and the victim is recovering in hospital. He is expected to be sent home within the next few days.

Trouble started a little after midnight, when a group of around 15 youths in their teens and early twenties clashed at the approach to Beverley Meadow.

That is the spot where, on September 17, a boy and two girls suffered knife wounds, one across the face. Seven Canterbury men aged 17 to 25 were arrested after that incident.

Det Con Wayne Croll thinks there are too many similarities to discount a link with the latest attack.

He said: "We cannot rule out that this fight may have been connected in some way with the previous incident in St Stephen's back in September. We do not believe this assault was a random act.

"We believe a knife was used but this weapon has not yet been found. The victim suffered a stab wound to his chest and the injuries were initially believed to be life-threatening."

Ch Insp Peter Wedlake said: "Children should not be allowed to roam around this late at night. If your child gets home in the early hours you must question them to ensure you know exactly where they were and who they were with."

He added that the police aim to be more vigilant on groups of youths congregating.

"I have tasked patrols in this area of Canterbury to actively intervene when they find groups of young people to prevent further incidents," he added.

The youths arrested have all been bailed to appear at Canterbury Police Station between December 7 and 9. They are aged between 14 and 21 and all are from Canterbury with the exception of a 15-year-old from Hersden.

Anyone who may have found anything that could have been used as a weapon, or who could provide information, should contact Det Con Croll on 01227 762055.