A teenager was stabbed in the chest after being approached by a gang early on Friday evening.
The incident happened at approximately 5.50pm as the 17-year-old victim walked along an alleyway next to the Sainsburys store in Quantock Rise.
He was approached by a group of five men and felt threatened so turned back towards Quantock Rise. As he did so one of the men hit the victim with a dog chain and as he tried to fight back he felt a pain in his chest and fell to the ground.
A short time later the victim managed to get back on to his feet and ran from the scene.
When he reached Enterprise Way he realised he had been stabbed and got a taxi to the hospital from where the police were called.
Four of the offenders are described as white men; the fifth is described as a black man. They all wore hooded tops and one of the men had a dog with him.
Detective Constable Simon Day, investigating, said: “The victim had been seriously injured and had suffered a punctured lung. He is now recovering but this assault could have resulted in more serious consequences. The area surrounding this store is busy at night and I would urge anyone who saw the group of men loitering in the alleyway to contact the police and help stop this group from assaulting other innocent members of the public.”
Anyone with information relating to this incident can contact DC Day, in confidence, at Luton Police Station, on 01582 394316, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.