Two people have been arrested and remain in police custody after a young girl was stabbed.

Officers received a report that a girl had sustained stab wounds at an address in Glider Close, Christchurch, at 17:45 BST on Tuesday, Dorset Police said.

The girl, who is reportedly around eight years old, was taken to hospital for treatment and her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police said a man aged in his 20s, from Christchurch, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and a local woman in her 50s was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Ch Supt Stewart Dipple said: “There is an increased policing presence in the area as officers conduct enquiries at the scene.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area and saw what happened or has information to assist our investigation, to please come forward.

“Our enquiries are in the early stages and we would ask the public not to speculate at this time about the circumstances of the incident.

“I understand this will cause concern and we will have members of the neighbourhood policing team out on patrol over the coming days who can be approached by the public.”