The 16-year-old victim of a brutal stab attack in a city park had been waiting to meet his girlfriend when he was set-upon, a neighbour has said.
The lad is recovering at home after being treated in in hospital for what police have described as "potentially life changing" wounds in the incident on Friday.
Officers say he was sitting on a bench in Elswick Park, in Newcastle's West End, when he was approached by two males who attacked him then left the scene.
Go here for the latest crime news and breaking North East police updates
The boy suffered serious injuries to his hands. forearms and shoulder and potentially life-changing facial injuries.
Police, who are still hunting the attackers, say his wounds were "consistent with a bladed article".
Jeanette Drinkeld, whose house over looks the park, said a member of her family came across the injured teen outside Elswick Leisure Centre and called emergency services.
The 67-year-old told the Chronicle she believes the victim had been waiting to meet his his girlfriend in the park when the attack happened, at around 7pm.
And Jeanette's relative came to his aid soon after.
The grandmother said: "She saw the lad, she asked him where he was from.
"He was supposed to be meeting his girlfriend. I don't think he was a rough laddie. I'm glad she was there because you don't know what else might have happened to the lad.
"I'm really shocked, I have got a grandson whose coming up to 18 so it's worrying."
Police say the teen was attacked as he sat on a bench outside the leisure centre.
Jeannette, who has lived in Elswick since the 1970s, said groups of young people had begun congregating in the park ever since the centre re-opened after being closed during lockdown.
"Since the leisure centre re-opened it's been terrible, there's lots of people hanging around at night. It never used to be like that. It used to be quiet," she said. "Now the kids just sit and drink in the park and you don't know what they are carrying round with them these days.
"I hear kids on a night-time shouting and things."
"But there's nothing round here for the kids to go to. Years ago we had youth clubs and boys clubs, but there's nothing now."
Parents living in Elswick have also told of their fears at hearing a teenager had been the victim of such violence near their homes.
A mum-of-two, who asked not to be named, said she feared for her children's future knowing she lived in an area where young people carry weapons.
"I think it's absolutely disgusting that people think it's ok to carry a blade or weapon, I also think it's awful that some people have started to carry them for protection," she said. "My children are 13 and 10 and my world would be shattered if something were to happen to them, this victim is not that much older.
"They do not go out around our area after dark I do however return from work late at night so it's a safety concern especially when we have a school just along the road also."
And on the Chronicle's Facebook page Christine Harrison wrote: "What is going on with kids these days. If kids take the knives from the house then they have every intention of using them. It is not safe for anyone to be out these days.
"When I was a bairn we went to Elswick Park and there was never any bother. Including schools."
While Lisa Jenkyns added: "What is this world coming to, attacked for absolutely nothing but the fun of it it's a disgrace, not safe to even mind your own business now."
Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack and are keen to trace a man who helped the victim but left the scene before officers arrived.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "On Friday police received a report a 16-year-old had been sitting on a bench near the leisure centre when he was approached by two males, who have then assaulted him, causing injuries consistent with a bladed article before leaving the scene.
"Emergency services attended and the victim was taken to hospital having sustained serious, injuries to his hands, forearms and shoulder and potentially life-changing injuries to his face.
"Officers have since launched an investigation and have carried out a number of lines of enquiry, including speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV of the area.
"They are now appealing for any further witnesses to come forward and are especially keen to trace a man who is believed to have witnessed the incident and offered help to the victim, but left before officers could speak to him."
The man, or anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting 004569T/21.
For the latest local news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
