Two mental health workers fled bleeding from an Oxford flat after being stabbed while making a house call.

One of the men was stabbed in the back and the other in his abdomen after they visited a patient in Celandine Place, Blackbird Leys, shortly after noon yesterday.

They ran along Dunnock Way to Leys Health Centre leaving drops of blood on the pavement and trying to call for police and paramedics from their mobile phones.

Both were in a serious but stable condition at the John Radcliffe Hospital last night.

Police have arrested a 42-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder.

Neighbours said they were shocked at these latest stabbings and police have promised extra patrols on the estate.

Five weeks ago, Simon Pratley, 26, was stabbed eight times in nearby Norman Smith Road, Blackbird Leys.

Grant Lindsey, 16, was in Celandine Place with friends when he saw two men running towards the health centre.

He said: "One had his shirt up and he was holding his rib. I think it was his left side. Another man was on his phone saying: 'Can I have the police here?' "When they got to the bottom of the road he shouted: 'Can you ring an ambulance?' "I thought 'What is going on?' I thought they had got robbed or something. Then the police came and the ambulance came."

Police would not comment on what weapon was used in the attack.

Officers guarded a room at the Leys Health Centre and the block of flats yesterday afternoon.

Forensics and scenes-of-crimes officers also carried out investigations.

A spokesman for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust said two members of staff were injured while making a community visit to a patient.

Both worked at the Warneford Hospital, in Headington.

Supt Brendan O'Dowda said: "I would like to reassure our community that this is a rare and isolated incident.

"We have a team of detectives investigating this incident and have increased patrols of police officers and Police Community Support Officers in the area."

Last night, residents in Celadine Place said they were scared.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "It's frightening, especially when you have a seven-year-old girl who wants to go outside."

A 33-year-old man said: "I'm shocked. It's happening all the time now, which is scary.

"I'm worried because I have two children, six and 12, which is just at the vulnerable age."

A 56-year-old woman said: "It seems to be going on everywhere."

Anyone with information on the stabbing should call police on 08458 505505 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Mental health care managers have launched an investigation into the stabbings.

Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Healthcare Partnership (OBMH) said incidents involving personal safety were "extremely rare", although they were all taken very seriously, with full support given to those involved.

A spokesman said: "All community visits are registered at the team's base and staff contact the base regularly. If, after an appropriate time, the team hasn't been contacted by a member of staff, they'll try to get in touch via mobile phone or other means before alerting the authorities.

"Home visits are carefully assessed and clinical judgements made about the safety of the visit."

Despite this, a report published in autumn 2007 showed that during 2006/7 there were 962 incidents of violence and aggression against staff, including 166 which left workers injured.