Girl fights for life after Littlehampton supermarket stabbing attack '“ eyewitness accounts

Police said the attack, in the Somerfield store in Anchor Springs, Littlehampton, on Tuesday (September 16) afternoon, appeared to be "random and motiveless".

Lucy Yates, the 20-year-old victim from Littlehampton, was yesterday (Wednesday, September 17) said to be in a "critical" condition in a Southampton hospital after emergency surgery, having been transferred from Worthing Hospital, where she was taken initially.

A 21-year-old man from Bognor has been arrested and remains in police custody at Worthing.

Somerfield staff raised the alarm on the town centre ShopWatch Radio security scheme at about 4.20pm.

Supermarket workers and shoppers pounced on the attacker and pulled the girl free, giving her first aid as she lay bleeding heavily from the multiple stab wounds.

Within minutes several members of ShopWatch added their support.

Tom Bowden, manager of Animal Magic in Duke Street, a short distance from Somerfield, was one of the first to arrive.

He said: "I saw the girl lying there, in front of the tills, and I could see she had been stabbed.

Streak of blood

"She was bleeding heavily. It looked like she had been dragged from up one of the aisles, because there was this streak of blood behind her.

"She had obviously been stabbed multiple times. It was absolutely horrific.

"Just round the corner the security guard was struggling with a man, so I ran over to help him hold him down. I sat on him, and was on him for just three or four minutes until the police got there.

"There were people running around and screaming, and just so much blood, it was horrible.

"You could see that the staff were really distressed. It's such an unusual thing to happen. Shocking."

Screams for ambulance

Another member of ShopWatch, who asked not to be named, said: "I heard the call on ShopWatch from the security guard screaming for an ambulance, and rushed over.

"When I got there, there were already other members giving first aid.

"All I could see was a young lady who was suffering from quite severe injuries. There was a lot of blood.

"ShopWatch rallied round and we dealt with it. We all did what we could.

"I have never seen anything like this when called on ShopWatch, it is usually one of our guys calling for back up with a shoplifter. You do not expect what could have been a fatal stabbing.

"The staff were upset, and it makes the town seem unsafe.

"Everybody who rushed there from ShopWatch put 200 per cent effort in. It shows that we are still a community."

No panic

Ivor Holland, of Quality Textiles, a trained first-aider, said: "The Somerfield staff and a member of the public had dived in to try to help the young woman.

"They helped me in maintaining her breathing, and applying pressure to her wounds to stop the bleeding.

"Other ShopWatch people helped the security guard to detain the attacker until the police arrived, and pinned him to the ground.

"There was no panic whatsoever, but some people were in a state of shock, having witnessed what happened. I can't praise the Somerfield staff who took control highly enough, especially the security guard."

"Did all they could"

Tyndall Jones, owner of David O Jones Sports and a leading ShopWatch member, said: "Many ShopWatch members went over, and did everything they could.

"Everyone within ShopWatch worked really well as a team, and did everything they could for that girl.

"All of our thoughts are with her family, and we wish her a speedy recovery."

Best wishes, for the woman and her family, have been pouring onto the Littlehampton Gazette's Facebook profile page.

The store remained closed yesterday afternoon as police forensic investigations continued. No weapon has yet been recovered.

"Motiveless"

Det Chief Inspector Jeff Riley, who is leading the investigation, Operation Pentney, said: "This appears to be a random and motiveless attack on an innocent young woman shopping in her local store.

"As far as we are aware, she was not known to her attacker.

"We have already spoken to a number of witnesses who were in or around the store yesterday afternoon, and we will be maintaining a high visibility presence at the store today in case there are others who have not yet spoken to us.

"If anyone has any information they are asked to call 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Pentney, or they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"We have also established a phone line to Sussex Victim Support for anyone affected by this shocking incident who would like to speak to someone. The number for them to call is 0845 38 99 528."

Shocked staff

A Somerfield spokeswoman said staff and customers were extremely shocked by the attack.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the individual who has been attacked.

"We are helping the police in any way possible with their inquiries.

"We are offering our store colleagues as much support as possible at this distressing time."

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