The mum of a stab victim knifed in the back in a town centre says she feels safer on the streets of London than parts of Kent.

Maxine Lewis spent a month by her son Curtis' bedside as he fought for his life following a shocking attack in Ramsgate in April.

The 31-year-old gas engineer from Birchington suffered multiple injuries after an eight-inch blade was plunged into his torso as he walked down Hardres Street.

The stabbing happened as he made his way towards a taxi after being involved in a verbal run-in with a group of men and teenage boys.

He ended up spending 28 days in hospital at King's College Hospital, before being discharged and moving into his mum's caravan in Birchington.

With Curtis now slowly on the mend - albeit struggling with the physical and mental scars - he is now attempting to rebuild his life.

Devastated by the immediate aftermath and knock-on financial impacts of the attack on her son, Miss Lewis is hoping to create a charity to support the families of those hurt in life-changing incidents.

But the 55-year-old says the key to preventing further suffering is to tackle knife crime.

"Our area is getting worse," she said. "The crime rate has absolutely rocketed.

"Why is it allowed to keep happening? I feel safer in London than I do in Thanet.

"I won't go to Ramsgate in an evening or Margate.

"People don't want to come here because of there being an epidemic of crime.

"We've got to solve the problems. CCTV should be used to prevent crime by realising where trouble is and addressing it before being get hurt.

"I just don't want anyone else getting hurt."

Following the attack on April 30, Daniel Haine, of Station Road, Birchington, was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a bladed article.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to both charges at a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court on June 6. He is due for sentencing at the same court on August 12.

Recounting the attack on her son, Miss Lewis says Curtis was targeted over "something silly" at 4.25am as he left Ramsgate high street.

"People don't want to come here because of there being an epidemic of crime..."

"It's shocking to have someone come up behind you and stab you," she said.

"They had an altercation about something meaningless - but Curtis and the people he was with walked off and it seemed things were over.

"Curtis went to get in a taxi and this lad came behind him and stabbed him in the back.

"He didn't realise to begin with and started walking, but then he ended up being taken to King's in London where he remained for 28 days.

"Funnily enough he was more worried about his Burberry jacket at the time, but that lad who did it has taken away Curtis' dreams and aspirations for the future.

"He was left fighting for his life, hasn't been able to work, was left traumatised by the attack and won't be able to do things he used to. He was a good showjumper but he won't be able to ride horses again."

Miss Lewis says Curtis was in intensive care and suffered a punctured lung, liver damage, internal bleeding and had his gallbladder removed.

"He's lost three stone in weight and won't be able to fully recover from his injuries," she said.

"We don't know when he can go back to work. He had a job interview the other day but he ended up back in hospital.

"Thankfully he has a loving family and friends to help him through it all - but some victims don't have that."

Ramsgate was previously branded "lawless", with the town council chairman calling for an urgent meeting between police, MP Craig Mackinlay and Thanet District Council.

District Commander for Thanet, Chief Inspector Matthew Smith, says his team "work hard to keep Thanet safe at all times" and states how there will be more night-time patrols over the coming weeks.

"Violent crime has reduced from last year but we recognise the impact it can have when people hear or read reports of violence in their own community and understand it can cause concern," he said.

"Our officers are dedicated to identifying offenders and bringing them before the courts.

"We urge anyone considering carrying a knife to remember they will be arrested, and statistically they are more than likely to be harmed by a knife if they carry one.

"In the coming weeks there are planned increases of patrols during the night time economy in Margate, Cliftonville and Ramsgate as well as the ongoing work regularly carried out, including visits to licenced shops and premises, to ensure everyone is playing their part to keep Thanet safe."

Dad-of-one Curtis is currently living at Birchington Vale Two Chimneys caravan park with his mum, having paid a full year's rent to ensure he has a roof over his head.

Miss Lewis says her family have come under huge financial pressures since the fateful attack, spending thousands on travel and caring for Curtis.

"We've gone through so much money, I wouldn't like to say how much," she said.

"I was lucky enough to get my pension out to pay for taxis to get to the hospital. Getting one everyday from Thanet to London costs a lot.

"There are so many costs. If you run a business then that takes a massive hit. It's like pulling a plug and everything collapsing inwards."

"We urge anyone considering carrying a knife to remember they will be arrested...'"

Miss Lewis says her family has spent all their savings since the attack - and she has even sold her horse.

"The victim of a crime gets no extra financial support, leaving them having to apply for food vouchers to survive," she said.

"Innocently, I thought there would be support there for you if you need to travel up to London all of the time.

"I'm lucky enough to have a good family and friends network, but if you don't, then there is no one to help you."

Miss Lewis wants to help start a voluntary charity to support families impacted by similar incidents.

She said: "If someone can't get to the hospital, then people could volunteer and say 'yes I'll drive that person, I don't mind'.

"If the community can come together and support each other, then it would make the whole awful experience a little bit easier."

Miss Lewis is hopeful volunteers with expertise in setting up a charity can help with its formation.

Meanwhile, Kent Police says it is taking proactive action to make the district a safer place, with a number of operations to combat knife crime in the works.

Chief Inspector Smith added: "This week we held a meeting with councillors and other representatives in Ramsgate where we walked through the town and they raised any areas they felt needed improving to make the community feel safer.

"This is part of the work Kent Police is doing as part of our commitment to protect women and girls against violence, as we believe everyone has a right to feel safe.

"We intend to hold more walkabout meetings in the district over the coming months and issues raised will be looked at by the Thanet Community Safety Unit and partner agencies in future response planning.

"This summer we are also running multi-agency operations to target knife crime, working with British Transport Police and using a knife arch at the railways and other locations to intercept those who plan on travelling into the district to commit violent offences."

A week before the attack on Curtis, a man was found with serious head injuries in the gardens by Albion Place and in a separate attack, a man was injured by two thugs outside Aldi.

A few days previous to that, a woman in her 60s was found with head injuries in Elizabeth Road in Ramsgate.

And in March, officers launched a manhunt to find the culprit of an attack in King Street in which a man in his 30s was taken to hospital.

In January, seven people were assaulted near Military Road, with three needing hospital treatment.

And back in October, a video showing revellers throwing punches at each other in Harbour Street was filmed by a terrified resident.