A stab attack inside a taxi is today being probed after an injured man was dropped off on a Gateshead street.
Police say they believe the victim was assaulted inside a cab by a person he knows.
He suffered a puncture wound to his abdomen and was taken to hospital after being dropped off at Ripon Street, in Bensham.
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ChronicleLive understands his injury is suspected to have been caused by a blade, but was not serious.
No one has yet been arrested and police are appealing for witnesses.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Shortly before 9am on Saturday, we were alerted by the North East Ambulance Service to a report of an assault which was believed to have taken place inside a taxi.
“It was reported that the victim had been assaulted in the taxi by another person thought to be known to him.
“The injured man was dropped off at address on Ripon Street, Bensham. He was then transported to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, with an injury to his abdomen.
“Enquiries are on-going."
The air ambulance was called to the area, as well as two road ambulance crews.
One man who lives on Ripon Street said police had been knocking on doors as part of the investigation.
And a man who works in the Premier shop on the corner of the street said rumours had been circulating about what had happened.
The shop worker, who the Chronicle has agreed not to name, said: "I've got no idea what's happened but I've heard it was a stabbing. I've heard about five or six different stories, but the main thing that everyone seems to agree on is that it was a stabbing.
"They say there was one or two ambulances and three or four police vans. The way things are going recently it doesn't surprise me."
The ambulance service confirmed it took one patient to hospital.
A North East Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were called to a private address off Prince Consort Road in Gateshead at 8.51am.
"We dispatched one ambulance crew, a crew from our Hazardous Area Response Team and requested support from Great North Air Ambulance. One patient was transported to hospital by road."
Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101 and quote log 296 of February 5.
