A teenage boy has been airlifted to a London hospital after he was reportedly attacked in the street with a meat cleaver.

The 14-year-old suffered three slash wounds to his back during the alleged assault in Hinchliffe Way, Margate.

A meat cleaver thought to have been used in the attack at 3.25pm yesterday was recovered in a nearby alleyway.

It is understood the incident was sparked by an argument over a stolen bike.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault and has been questioned by officers.

He was released on bail until October 14 while the investigation continues.

A witness said: "I was walking my son to the local shop at 3.25pm when I heard a lot of commotion, then after a minute or so a lad ran past.

"We carried on to the shop and on our way back home my son noticed a policeman with a taser gun running up an alleyway.

"When we passed the alley the lad who ran past us earlier was being held on the ground by two policemen.

"When we got indoors my wife said that she heard loads of sirens.

"We looked out of one of our upstairs windows and could see one ambulance and the ambulance fast response car.

"The paramedics were running around looking very concerned. Also police were arriving all the time, I think there were two vans and five cars.

"The police all started looking everywhere, presumably for a weapon then one shouted he had found it."