Oxford City Council has been in contact with police over an alleged racist assault this weekend, which the authority’s leader said had left people “shocked and worried."

A man, 54, has been charged after armed police officers with riot shields were called to reports of an 'axe attack' on Saturday afternoon (October 21) in Magdalen Road, Oxford. 

Another man in his 40s was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and has since been discharged.

READ MORE: Residents 'shocked' after armed police raid Magdalen Road

Council leader Susan Brown said: “Oxford is a city of sanctuary that people of all religions and cultures call home - everyone should feel safe here.

“The council has been in contact with the police and we will work with them and partners across our communities…”

Roger Felton, aged 54, of Magdalen Road, has been charged with one count each of grievous bodily harm wounding with intent, racially aggravated intentional, harassment/alarm/distress, and possession of a class B drug, namely cannabis.

He will appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court today, Monday, October 23. 

Thames Valley Police said they were called to the incident, which took place outside several stores in Magdalen Road, at around 2.40pm after a parking disagreement.

Pictures show a large police cordon in the area with one eyewitness saying that six police cars and one ambulance crew were called to the scene.

The road was closed to the public whilst the emergency services dealt with the incident.