VIOLENCE marred a community event when a man was stabbed last night.

The annual Light Up Langthorne Park show in Leytonstone was cut short after the 22-year-old victim was taken to hospital with a stab wound at about 9pm yesterday (September 29).

The fire and light display in the park, off Birch Grove, attracted hundreds of people who enjoyed themed dances and music, but they were sent home at 9pm, two hours ahead of schedule, when police and paramedics were called to reports of a fight and found the man.

Anna Alcock, an artist who helped prepare performances at the event, said: "We were right in the middle of it all. A security guard came up asking for a costume to use to stem the bleeding. It was a terrible thing to happen.

"We think he was stabbed outside the park but probably running into it saved his life because of all the security and people."

The 22-year-old’s wound was not life-threatening and he has since been discharged.

Police also searched the area after being told of a second man who had suffered head injuries, but they could not find him. No arrests have yet been made and Waltham Forest police are now running the investigation.

If you have any information about the incident please call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.