An investigation is underway as police search for the victim of a stabbing in Norwich.

Officers were called to Goodman Square, near Old Palace Road, at around 5pm on Thursday following reports a person had been stabbed.

Several police units, including two dog teams, attended the scene but the victim had fled before the emergency services arrived.

Two men, both in their late teens, have been arrested on suspicion of assault, possession of an offensive weapon and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

They have been taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Following the incident a large number of police remained in the area carrying out enquiries and searching the area in a bid to try and locate the victim.

A cordon has been put in place at the scene and officers were seen searching a property in Freeman Square.

A forensics team were also seen taking photographs at the scene.

The incident is the fifth stabbing to take place in Norwich within the last two months and since the beginning of September 2018, there have been at least seven incidents where people have been stabbed in the city.

Last month police were called to St Augustine's Street, after which a man in his 30s was stabbed and taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for treatment.

But, despite the number of incidents within the last year, police have repeatedly stressed the wider public should not be concerned as the violence is generally contained within the 'criminal fraternity'.

And Norfolk Constabulary posted a 30pc reduction in selected knife crime offences, as well as the highest conviction rate since 2010.

Speaking in December, Simon Bailey, Norfolk's chief constable, said: 'A significant proportion of the violent crime is being committed within the criminal fraternity.

'It is not affecting the vast majority of people. We are not seeing an increase in the number of violent incidents where injury is caused at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.'

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who has any information which may help investigations into the Goodman Square incident.

Contact Norfolk Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.