Amersham residents are in disbelief after a 32-year-old man was stabbed multiple times in a “shocking and surprising event” in the town this week.

The man from Chesham was stabbed in the shoulder and back during the incident in Pondwicks, Old Amersham at about 8.10pm on Sunday – police are still hunting for the attackers.

He was treated at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Detectives have told residents that they are treating the terrifying attack – which they believe was a targeted assault - "extremely seriously".

The town’s Mayor and Old Amersham councillor Amanda Lamont said: “It’s a shocking and surprising event.

“It’s absolutely atypical for Old Amersham. It’s beautiful and quiet – it’s not the sort of place where these things happen.”

A Pondwicks resident, who did not want to be named, said: “I’ve never heard of anything like this happening in Old Amersham.”

Another anonymous resident, who has a young family, said: “It’s not the kind of thing you see around here.

“I never really see any people here and if you open the window you usually cannot hear a thing.”

Supt Yvette Hitch, LPA commander for Chiltern and South Bucks, said: “We would like to reassure the public that we are taking this offence extremely seriously and are investigating appropriately.

“We believe that this was not a random attack and that the offenders and victim are known to each other.

“We are working to determine the circumstances that led to this incident. It is fortunate that the victim was not more seriously injured.

“We have put on extra patrols in the area and appeal to members of the public to come forward with any concerns or information they may have regarding this incident.”

Residents can contact Thames Valley Police on 101 or alternatively can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.