DETECTIVES are hunting a gang who stabbed a man in the east end of Greenock last night.

The 44-year-old victim was attacked by a group of youths at around 8pm in Finnieston Street near to Belville Street.

He was stabbed in the back.

The victim was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital where he received stitches.

He has since been released.

Detective Ross Macdonald, from Greenock CID, said: “He was walking from Belville Avenue to Finnieston Street when he was approached by a group of youths and struck from behind.”

No description of the attackers has been released.  Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to get in touch urgently.

It is being treated as a serious assault.

It was one of two violent incidents in the east end last night.

A short time later, police were called to a separate disturbance nearby in Belville Street and arrested a man for a common assault.  Both incidents are not thought to be connected.

To contact Greenock CID, phone 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555