A SHOP assistant has told how a blood-soaked stranger collapsed in his doorway after a fight by Inwood Park in which three men were stabbed.

Five men were arrested following the clash in Livingstone Road, beside the park in Hounslow, on Monday, which witnesses said involved up to 30 people. The men, all in their 20s, have been bailed to return for further police questioning in June.

The stabbing victims, also all in their 20s, were taken to hospital for treatment although none are believed to be seriously injured.

A cashier at Checkers off-licence and grocers, on the corner of Livingstone Road, told the Chronicle how one of the victims had collapsed at his door as he was closing up just after 8pm and begged him to call the police.

"His shirt was soaked with blood and I sat him down and said 'calm down, calm down," said the worker, who asked not to be named. "He kept asking me to call the police but there were two other men with him, who were saying 'no, call an ambulance'."

Another witness, who also asked to remain anonymous, said there were about 25-30 people involved in the fight.

"I looked out of my window and at first I thought they were joking around, but then I saw someone running past clutching his chest, with blood pouring from his side," he told the Chronicle."We got a letter from the police saying none of the men involved were from the borough and we had nothing to fear, but it's not the first time we've had problems on this road.

"Only a few weeks ago my car window was smashed on a Friday night, and there's quite a lot of crime around here."

Residents told how they often heard shouting outside their homes, though they were not aware of any serious assaults in recent months.
One man claimed young gang members were now routinely carrying knives and most of the violence was driven by drugs.

Inspector Manpreet Bains, of Hounslow Police, said extra officers would patrol the area over the next few days in a bid to reassure residents.

"We would like to reassure residents we do not expect any repercussions from this incident. This is a rare occurrence and police are taking the matter very seriously," he added.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hounslow CID on 0300 123 1212 or Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555 111.