There was mayhem in Middletown on Thursday night as a band of masked men wearing crash helmets, wielding machetes and hurling bottles had dozens of neighbours shocked at the violence ? in which one man was stabbed ? and disappointed at Police?s response

An upset eyewitness told that she called 911 but was kept on the phone too long before a dispatch call was made to Police.

Police report that the victim, a 23-year-old Hamilton Parish man, was chased by a group of men and stabbed in the back of his left leg, before escaping the mayhem.

According to Police, the victim said he arrived in the area around 9.30 p.m. with his girlfriend, in search of his brother. Around 10 p.m. after finding his brother, a group of young men started throwing bottles at the threesome.

They were chased by the group of men now brandishing machetes and the victim was cut in the violent outbreak.

The victim was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he was listed in stable condition last night. Police are appealing for witness to the incident or anyone with information can call 295-0011.

The eyewitness who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said ?It was like watching a war movie on television,? as the group numbering between 25 and 30 ran through the street.

Speaking yesterday afternoon the woman said she feared the violence would continue last night.

She said she phoned Police when she saw four of the men run across a yard wielding machetes. She said after that call Police stopped at the bottom of the hill near Parsons Road. One officer got out of the car and spoke with some bystanders before driving off.

She said about 20 minutes later ?all hell broke loose? when a group of about 30 masked men ran into the streets carrying machetes.

She said she called 911 but complained that the officer kept her on the phone too long before dispatching Police.

She said the officer said he would ask Police to drive by the fight sounding sirens to make the crowd disperse.

About ten to 20 minutes later the witness heard the Police sirens from a distance but never saw officers come to the area where the fighting was taking place.

She said when the sirens sounded the youths dispersed. ?I heard someone say, lets get our guns,? she said.

The woman said neighbours had run into the street begging the assailants not to hurt anyone. And she said one woman put herself in harms way pleading for them not to ?chop up? a young man. ?I heard a woman shouting ?no, no you are going to kill him?,? she said.

The woman said she heard the melee was over a stolen bike or a stun gun and that youths from St. Monica?s Road and other Pembroke neighbourhoods descended on Middletown to fight.

Anyone witnessing suspicious activity in the area is also asked to contact the Police. Police last night said they would have a heavy presence in Middletown after Thursday?s eruption of violence.