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Two men have been arrested after a teenager was stabbed in a popular shopping thoroughfare.
Police and the air ambulance were called at 2.30pm yesterday after a 17-year-old boy was attacked in Palace Street, Canterbury.
He was airlifted from the city centre to hospital with what were described as "serious injuries".
Officers arrested two men in connection with the attack later the same day.
A police spokesman said: "A 22-year-old man from Canterbury and a 21-year-old man of no fixed address were taken into custody while inquiries continue.
"A 17-year-old boy was airlifted to a London hospital with injuries consistent with a stab wound.
"His injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening."
Police cordoned off a section of Palace Street outside retailer Siesta Crafts and Cafe Chambers following the incident.
Julie Nuttall, owner of The Cheese Shop, reacted after seeing three people run past her store.
She said: "I saw a lot of alarmed-looking people, so I went outside and I saw he was on the floor of The Running Outlet next door. The girl manning the shop was on the phone to the police.
"He was just a young boy and he had been stabbed in the back twice, so I held the wound together and talked to him. It was just instinctive.
"His friend was in the shop, sat on a seat. I think he was shocked as well.
"It felt like it was a long time; I was thinking it was about 20 minutes, but it was probably just 10.
"The police came and took over, so I went back to my shop, closed up and went home."
The air ambulance landed in Green Court close to the Cathedral.
Resident Joe Egerton, 68, says police cars and two ambulances were also at the scene.
The 68-year-old added: "If it hadn't been for Julie, it could have been very much worse.
"It's dreadful that this has happened in Canterbury. It's shocking.
"There's no reason for people to be worried about shopping in Canterbury. This is an anomaly."
The incident prompted MP Rosie Duffield to assure residents it was not a terrorist incident and instead "a local matter".
She said: "Thanks to all our emergency services for acting quickly and local retailers who heroically stepped in to help.
"My thoughts are with the young person involved and his loved ones, hoping he makes a full recovery very quickly."
Detectives are appealing for witnesses who not yet spoken to them to call police on 01843 222289, quoting the reference number 46/104847/20, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
