Police are appealing for help after a man turned up at Oxford Probation Service in Oxford Road, Cowley with a stab wound this afternoon.

The man, aged 50, has been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where is in surgery. His injuries are described as life threatening.

Det Insp Simon Morton said: “Just after 1.40pm the man went into the offices claiming to have fallen from his bicycle but it soon became apparent that he had been stabbed.

“We are still in the very early stages of the investigation and are keeping an open mind as to how this happened and are asking for help from the public.

“We need to know where this man was before he arrived at the Probation Service and how he received the injury.

“The man is black and aged in his early 50s. He has black shoulder-length dreadlocks and was wearing black jeans a blue, shirt-style top and tan walking boots with a silver and black mountain bike.

“Did you see a man of this description in the Cowley area this afternoon?

“I urge anyone with any information to contact me.”

Anyone with any information about the incident to contact Det Insp Morton at Oxford police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don’t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.