TWO more men have been arrested by police investigating the stabbing of an 18-year-old man in East Oxford yesterday.

Thames Valley Police said an 18-year-old man and 19-year-old man, both from London, were arrested today on suspicion of attempted murder.

Both are currently in custody.

The force said a 28-year-old-man and 35-year-old man arrested yesterday in connection with the incident which saw the teenager stabbed in James Street are due to be bailed but a date is yet to be set.

Earlier today people in East Oxford spoke of their shock following the incident which happened shortly after 3pm on Monday.

The man remains in in hospital after he collapsed outside Sainsbury's in Cowley Road but police said he is stable and conscious.

James Street remained cordoned off from the junction with Cowley Road to St Mary's Road and police officers were at the scene throughout the day.

A James Street resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "There has been trouble between gangs around these streets for some time.

"But you do not expect knife attacks.

"I have been here for 30 years so this is quite shocking.

"On the whole it really is a quiet area and people seem to get on."

Another neighbour, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said the stabbing was not completely surprising to her.

She said: "Yesterday the police were asking everywhere and the helicopter was up.

"It was quite frightening but that is the underbelly of the Cowley Road.

"You can always feel it and sense it."

The area in front of the cash machine at Sainsbury's where the victim was treated was also cordoned off with police tape yesterday.

Sainsbury's security guard Danny Boulahnechi, who helped the victim by giving him water as he waited for paramedics to arrive, said he had been worried about the safety of the area for years.

He said: "This place is very dangerous, I have told the police many times that this place is not secure.

"It is a very dangerous place.

"I have worked here for three years and it has always been dangerous."

Sainsbury's security guard Danny Boulahnechi

The two men being questioned by police, aged 28 and 35, were arrested in the Iffley Road area shortly after the incident.

It is understood one was arrested in Iffley Road and the other was taken away by police in nearby Hurst Street.

Some residents in the area said they had seen men running through the back gardens of homes in Regent Street shortly before the arrests were made.

Police spokesman Gareth Ford-Lloyd the investigation was ongoing and the force still wanted witnesses to come forward.

He declined to comment on why the incident might have happened, what sort of weapon was used and whether it had been found.

Another James Street resident, who asked not to be named, said: "All I can say is that this is a quiet street and things like this do not normally happen around here."

Anyone with information has been asked to call police on 101 and quote reference number 874 (9/5).