POLICE will beef up patrols in Sydney’s inner west and have urged residents not to be scared after a teenager was stabbed at least 12 times in a “random” attack.

The eighteen-year-old man is in a serious condition after her was chased, beaten and stabbed multiple times in his lower back and arms on Parnell Street, near Strathfield railway station at about 2.30am this morning.

Large pools of blood could be seen on the footpath and the sheaf of a large knife was found by police nearby.

Burwood Inspector Danielle Emerton said the attack by a group of young Asian men was “random” and police patrols would increase but that residents should not be scared.

media_camera The victim (pictured) was assaulted, stabbed and stomped on, according to witnesses at the scene. Picture: Bill Hearne

media_camera Horror stabbing: The male was allegedly stabbed 12 times in the back and lower limbs by the group who chased him from near Strathfield Station. Picture: Bill Hearne

Insp Emerton would not say if the weapon had been recovered, only that “several items of interested” had been collected from the scene.

“It’s unclear at this stage (whether the two groups are known to each other) ... it seems a random attack at this stage,” Insp Emerton said.

“The description that we have so far is a group of five to eight Asian males, some of them were wearing hoodies.”

Witnesses said they avoided the area at night as the neighbourhood shopping strip had become “rough”.

One witness who hid in his car during the attack said he saw the teen being chased up the street by eight guys in hoodies who punched him before stabbing him multiple times and stomping on him as he lay on the ground.

media_camera Attack: A 19 year old male is in a critical condition after being chased and set upon by up to seven males in Strathfield. Picture: Bill Hearne

“I was sitting in my car and I thought ‘oh s****, I’m not getting out’,” the witness, who would not give his name, said.

“They all ran the other way. I saw them leave and I was about to call the police but then some of (the victim’s) mates turned up and started calling.”

Warring gangs are believed to be behind the brutal attack, with police saying the man had been in an argument with the group before the attack.

Bloodied handprints could be seen on the footpath next to a large pool of blood and near what appeared to be a thin, metal bar and a discarded hoodie and white baseball cap.

A pair of bloodstained, white sneakers could also be seen lying in the middle of the road.

media_camera Police established a crime scene and a sword scabbard (sheath) was located in the middle of the road nearby. Picture: Bill Hearne

media_camera The sheath of what appears to be a sword was located in the middle of the road nearby. Picture: Bill Hearne

A man who was parking his car in Parnell St shortly after the attack said he saw “10 or 15” young men fleeing the scene “very fast” on foot.

“There were seven or eight together then five behind,” he said.

“They were a mix (of nationalities) but mostly Korean ... it’s very bad.”

The victim’s attackers are understood to have fled in a Toyota Rav 4 that was parked nearby.

Police towed a red hatchback from the scene earlier this morning and it is understood the vehicle was used by the victim prior to the attack.

The teen was treated by paramedics for up to 12 stab wounds before he was taken to Royal Prince Alfred hospital in a critical condition.

Riot squad officers searched the neighbourhood for evidence.

Strathfield resident Marie, who regularly shops in the area, said the retail strip had become “rough” over the past few years.

“I don’t come down here at night — it’s a bit rough down there now,” she said.

“All these kids hanging around all the time, you just never know.”

The inspector said police were yet to make any arrests and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.