A GANG of youths repeatedly stabbed a man in a residential Oxford street and inflicted serious wounds, police say.
Forensic officers combed a crime scene in Wood Farm today, after the victim, who is in his 40s, was attacked shortly before midnight on Thursday.
The man, who was said to be in a serious but stable condition in hospital this afternoon, was walking in Wood Farm Road at about 11.50pm when he was approached by a ‘group of male youths’, police said.
As families slept in homes metres away, they launched their attack.
A police forensics tent in Wood Farm Road this morning
Thames Valley Police said the man suffered ‘a number of stab wounds’ and was tended to at the scene by paramedics.
He was taken to hospital and four teenagers have been arrested in connection with the stabbing: an 18-year-old man, two 16-year-old boys and one 15-year-old boy.
All remained in custody this afternoon.
Street residents awoke to see a forensic tent and police cordon near the junction with Bonar Road, with police tape encompassing a black car and blocking off a crescent of houses.
Police forensics were seen marking potential evidence with yellow numbers.
Residents who live behind the cordon were being allowed access to their houses.
A woman who lives nearby, who asked not to be identified, said she heard ‘shouting’ at about midnight, but went back to sleep.
She added: “I just thought it was drunk people and I didn’t bother looking outside. I wish I had.”
In what is understood to be a linked police presence, there was also a cordon in Windmill Road, Headington.
The latter cordon taped off an entire stretch of pavement, close to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre entrance, with blue tarpaulin covering part of the ground.
A man who lives in Windmill Road, who asked not to be named, said he was woken at about midnight as several police vans descended on the street.
It is not yet clear how the incidents are connected.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Steve Raffield, of Oxford Force CID, said: “Members of the public will see an increased police presence as a result of this incident and extra patrols will be taking place.
“We would ask any members of the public with concerns to please speak to one of our officers.”
The two cordon locations marked with blue arrows. Picture: Google
DI Raffield, based at St Aldates station, urged anyone with information to come forward by calling 101 or visiting the force’s website, quoting reference 43180358221, or ringing Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
It is the second police stabbing appeal in three months - a man in his 30s was attacked in Blackbird Leys Park in September.
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