Teenager stabbed in chest inside Primark as shoppers watched in horror—16-year-old suspect arrested

A 17-year-old boy was brutally stabbed inside a busy Nottingham Primark as horrified shoppers looked on.

The shocking attack unfolded around 11:30am on Sunday when a fight erupted outside the Long Row store. Moments later, violence spilled inside, and the victim was stabbed in the chest. Panic gripped the shop as customers scrambled for safety, witnessing the terrifying scene unfold in broad daylight.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Though his wounds are not believed to be life-threatening, the attack has left the community shaken.

The assailant, a 16-year-old boy, fled towards Market Square, sparking a citywide manhunt. By Sunday evening, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed they had arrested a suspect on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

Detective Inspector Paul Shortt described the incident as an “appalling act of violence” carried out in full public view. “This will have caused considerable alarm to anyone who witnessed it,” he said, adding that detectives are now piecing together the events leading up to the stabbing.

Authorities believe the attack followed an altercation between a group of young people outside the store. Investigators are urging witnesses or anyone with mobile footage to come forward.

Primark has since closed the store indefinitely, with a spokesperson confirming: “Our thoughts are with the victim, and we are focused on supporting our colleagues who were in the store at the time. We are assisting the police with their investigation.”

This latest stabbing adds to growing concerns over youth violence in British city centres. The attack in a major retail store, during peak shopping hours, has sparked renewed fears about knife crime and public safety.

While police have made an arrest, the investigation continues. Detectives are combing through CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses in an attempt to establish the full circumstances behind the brutal stabbing