Woman stabbed after refusing to hand over car keys in Tipton
A woman was stabbed three times after she refused to hand over her car keys in Tipton this morning.
West Midlands Police has now launched an investigation into the attack which is said to have taken place at around 7.20am in High Street car park, in the Princes End area.
The woman had reportedly just dropped her child off at a nearby nursery when she refused to hand over her keys and was attacked.
Passers-by rushed to her aid and called emergency services. She was taken to hospital with stab wounds to her breast, abdomen and arm.
The woman's injuries are said to be serious but not life-threatening.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "The man was not known to the woman. He wanted to steal her car keys.
"Officers believe they know who the man is and are looking at CCTV."
Temporary Detective Sergeant Verity Evans, from Force CID, said: "A team of officers are investigating this shocking attack.
"We have spoken to a number of witnesses, conducted house to house and CCTV enquiries in the area.
"A man is now wanted in connection with the offence, and our priority is to locate and arrest him."
Residents and shop workers in the area believed the woman had been taking her child to the nearby Unicorn Day Nursery and the incident had left them 'scared'.
One resident, who did not wished to be named, said: "She dropped her baby off at the nursery and went to her car round the back. He was after her car.
"The butcher was shaken up by it, her took her into the shop and treated her."
John Evans, from the Handyman's Hardware Shop on High Street, said: "We heard that the woman had taken her child to the nursery and was on her way back to the car in the car park.
"The man asked for her car keys and she refused, and he stabbed her.
"The man who runs the butchers nearby was shaken up and he was there and intervened. He took her in and helped her. He's a hero."
Beth Scarrett, who works at Frydays on High Street, said: "My mom heard all the sirens earlier this morning.
"It doesn't feel safe in this area anymore. I won't walk home by myself now and I only live down the road."
Jaina Shiva, of Premier Princes End Convenience Store, added: "We are really scared. It is dark sometimes when we open up.
"Some customers came in after we opened to tell us about it."
Anyone with information that could help West Midlands Police with their investigation, is asked to call officers on 101, quoting incident number 20SW/69879U/18.
