A manhunt has been launched after a 13-year-old girl was stabbed as she walked along a street.

The teenager was stabbed in the arm after being pushed into an alleyway off Upavon Way, Carterton.

She had been walking alone along the residential street when the knifeman approached her at about 1pm on Sunday.

Without speaking, he shoved the girl into an alleyway in nearby Heron Close and stabbed her once.

The man, who was white and wore a long-sleeved black top, then ran off.

The girl, who has not been identified, was taken to Witney Community Hospital suffering a small stab wound which required two butterfly stitches. She was released the same day.

Insp Darren Carver, of Witney police, said: "This is a very unusual incident for Carterton and it happened in broad daylight in a residential street. While we do not want to raise fears, we would like anyone with information to get in touch immediately."

Residents, parents and town councillors who described Carterton as "safe" were shocked to hear of the incident.

Marie Ansell, 32, of Upavon Way, who has two children, Sam, 10, and Jack, eight, said: "I'm gobsmacked. It's just not something you would expect to happen here."

Paul Wesson, Carterton town councillor and UK Independence Party parliamentary candidate for Witney, said: "I am a parent whose 17-year-old daughter walks these very same alleyways and pathways, so I am extremely concerned.

"The street where this happened is the residential quarters for RAF Brize Norton so there's a good community spirit and it's usually a safe environment."

Carterton town mayor Brian Crossland had not heard about the incident.

"This is very unusual for Carterton," he said. "I will be contacting the town hall and liaising with police."

Anyone with information should call Dc Jim Holmes at Witney police station via 0845 505505, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.