A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 50-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach near the Oxford Probation Service offices, in Oxford Road, Cowley, on Friday afternoon.

He remains in a stable condition in hospital.

Officers raided a house in Bath Street, St Clement’s, Oxford, at 7.15am yesterday and arrested a 30-year-old.

Det Chief Insp Simon Morton, of Oxford CID, said: “We now know that the man was stabbed in Oxford Road, at the junction of Cleveland Road, at around 1pm. Both men were believed to be on bicycles.

“I appeal to anyone who was in this area on Friday afternoon and has information that could assist our inquiries to please contact police immediately.”

Detectives are not linking the stabbing with the murder of 43-year-old Devon Delroy McPherson, in East Oxford, on Monday.

Mr McPherson, of Divinity Road, died after he was stabbed in the neck following an argument with a man in Ridgefield Road shortly before midday.

Police raided four homes and carried out a fingertip search of nearby bins and gardens but no weapon has been recovered and no one has been arrested.

Det Chief Insp Mick Saunders last night refused to comment on any aspect of the investigation.

About 30 detectives are believed to be investigating.

Anyone with information on either stabbing should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.