THE step-dad of a 'Goth', who was stabbed because of what she was wearing, today said the incident had shattered the girl's confidence.

The 16-year-old, who left high school in Accrington last month, was attacked while waiting with her boyfriend at a bus stop in Peel Street.

Three teenage girls were arrested, but have since been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Today, the teenager's step-dad, who has requested the family not be named, slammed those involved in the incident, last Thursday. He said: "Her confidence is absolutely shattered because of what happened and we think it was totally unprovoked.

"She was just waiting at a bus stop and they came up and stabbed her in the back. It was as motiveless as that.

"She has been singled out because of the clothes she wears.

"She wears Goth-like clothes sometimes but doesn't have the pale skin or the black lipstick which some people do.

"She's in a lot of pain and very frightened by what has happened.

"What angers us is that it was so pointless. She was stabbed, which means someone had a blade in the town centre. That's frightening. Why would someone be carrying a blade?"

Police have moved to reassure people that it is safe to go out in Accrington town centre.

PS Mark Porter of Accrington Police said: "These incidents are very few and far between.

"The sad thing is that it makes people think that we have violent crime and puts fear into people of us having a violent town, where in fact it's an isolated incident. I cannot recall the last time anybody got into a fight over clothing. I want to reassure people that it's a one-off incident and it has been dealt with.

Goth derives from the word 'Gothic' which was an artistic style practised from the 12th to 16th centuries. 'Goths' is the term given to youngsters who tend to wear very dark clothes, dye their hair and try to make their skin as pale as possible.

Teenagers across East Lancashire who dress in Goth-style clothing have complained about being victimised in the past.