Birmingham ‘double stabbing’ in which two-year-old was attacked ‘could have been carried out by same man’
Cops searching for suspect would could be responsible for both attacks
THREE people including a two-year-old child hurt in doorstep machete attacks may have been injured by the same man, cops claim.
West Midlands Police said the toddler was treated for minor injuries after the offences, which occurred on Tuesday in Smethwick and the Washwood Heath area of Birmingham.
A 35-year-old woman and her child were then attacked at a house in Penley Grove, Washwood Heath, at about 7.45pm.
A major investigation was launched and a 35-year-old man and 40-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later released on police bail.
Officers are now searching for a man described as mixed race, between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 11ins, and believed to be in his thirties, who was seen in the area at the time of both attacks.
Inquiries are ongoing to establish if this is the same man or two different people.
Pictures from the scene today showed offices lifting manhole covers and carrying out fingertip searches of drains, gardens and pavements as part of the probe.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “A 19-year-old man was found with serious injuries at an address in Hales Lane, Smethwick and taken to hospital where his condition is described as stable.
“A 35-year-old woman and a two-year-old child were found at a house in Penley Grove, Washwood Heath and taken to hospital where the woman remains in a serious condition.
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“The child suffered minor injuries and was later discharged from hospital.
“A man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with both incidents and will be questioned by detectives later today.”
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Chisholm, from the force's Public Protection Unit, said: "All the victims are still receiving care for their injuries and we are working closely with them to establish the circumstances that led to these horrendous attacks.
"I am convinced that someone in the community will know who did this and I am appealing to them to search their conscience and do the right thing and come forward with information.
"The bottom line is that someone has attacked a mother and her small child with a bladed weapon, they have also left a young man seriously injured.
"Both attacks happened on the victims' doorsteps. Whatever affiliations people may have in the community, someone knows who did this, and they need to be stopped.
"I need anyone with information to call me or one of my team on 101. If people are afraid to come forward then they can leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers, the independent charity, on 0800 555 111."
Raja Nasir, who lives near to Penley Grove, told the : “This just should not be happening on our community.
“It’s shocking. There are some anti social behaviour issues in the area that need to be dealt with by both the council and the police. But this incident is very worrying.”
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