A man stabbed outside the Palmerston North police station this morning is in hospital with serious chest injuries.
The attack happened at 10am, outside Community Probation Services, next to the station, according to police spokeswoman Kim Perks.
The 20-year-old victim was stabbed while taking a break from a rehabilitation programme.
Police say the offender approached the victim from a parked vehicle, stabbed him and then left in the same vehicle – described as a two-tone grey Commodore.
"From what we have been told by witnesses there was no conversation between the two men; the offender simply got out of the car, stabbed the victim and left, so we are yet to establish a motive for the attack,” says detective sergeant Gary Milligan.
The offender is described as a Maori man, in his 40s with scruffy hair, a tattoo on the left side of his neck and another over his right eye.
Staff from the station carried out first aid on the victim at the scene until and ambulance arrived.
The man’s injuries are not said to be life threatening, though police will not yet comment on the number or nature of the injuries. He is reported to be in a stable condition.
No one has yet been arrested.
Police are keen to talk to anyone with information about the incident.
3 News