Original Article


A SECURITY OFFICER was stabbed in the chest in front of horrified Christmas shoppers after he gave chase to two suspected shoplifters.



The guard was attacked outside the Debenhams store in Palmerston Road, Southsea as shoppers thronged the streets.

He had approached two young men outside the store who he believed had stolen goods from the shop.

After he chased them, one pulled out a weapon and stabbed the 35-year-old from the Isle of Wight in the chest.

He fell to the ground on the pavement and the two men fled in opposite directions.

The Security Officer was taken by ambulance to Queen Alexandra Hospital and was said today to be in a stable condition.