Man arrested after bailiff stabbed in Cradley Heath repossession

Police were called to Victoria Gardens, Cradley Heath, at 11.30am yesterday to reports of a man with a serious wound.

The 57-year-old bailiff was conducting a house repossession when he was attacked in the cul-de-sac.

Today he was in a critical but stable condition. A 46-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said the force is not looking for anyone else in connection with the stabbing.

Police had cordoned off an appartment block at the bottom of the cul-de-sac and were only allowing residents in and out of the building last night.

Families today spoke of their surprise at the attack happening in the quiet cul-de-sac in the middle of the day.

They believed the attack happened at the entrance to an apartment block which borders Halesowen Road.

Officers remained at the scene late into the evening but the police cordon was lifted at around 3pm.

Neighbours described eight police cars swooping on the road shortly after the stabbing happened alongside an ambulance and paramedic.

Forensic officers soon arrived to begin collecting evidence from the scene, continuing their task into the evening.

Resident Danny Rock said he watched the drama unfold after being surprised by the arrival of emergency services to the street.

"It was chaos down here," he said. "I heard some shouting coming from near the flats. There were so many police around all of a sudden."

Another resident, aged 45, who did not wish to be named, added: "You could tell it was serious by all the police that arrived. I was only watching some TV but then just heard all the sirens.

"You don't expect it to happen down here, it's pretty quiet really."

West Midlands Ambulance spokeswoman Claire Brown said paramedics treated the man for "a serious wound" and stabilised his condition at the scene before he was taken to hospital for "further emergency treatment".

Officers were out on patrol at the scene last night to reassure residents following the stabbing.

Another officer was keeping watch inside the apartment building while crime scene investigators analysed the scene.