A man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was stabbed in the neck in Birmingham city centre.
The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said she was shocked by the incident that police believe was an ‘unprovoked attack’.
Djeison Rafael, 21, has now been charged with attempted murder as well as two further assaults and possession of a blade, West Midlands Police said tonight.
He was wearing a grey tracksuit, black hat, trainers and rucksack, the force said as it appealed for further information.
Officers were called to Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, shortly before 9pm on Friday after reports of a stabbing.
The woman in her 30s was taken to hospital with a serious neck injury.
Rafael is due to appear before magistrates in Birmingham on Monday.
The attack, which unfolded just yards from Birmingham New Street station, was the third reported stabbing in the city centre in just over a month.
A woman was stabbed in the neck in an ‘unprovoked attack’ in Birmingham city centre on Friday night. Picture from the scene
The victim, aged in her 30s, suffered a ‘serious injury’ and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition
Two 17-year-old boys were knifed outside a Primark store within the space of a week in October.
In the lead up to one of the assaults, about ten men were said to have been involved in a fight near the city’s iconic bronze Bull sculpture.
Responding to the latest incident, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday evening: ‘I am shocked to hear a woman was stabbed in Birmingham in an unprovoked attack.
‘My thoughts are with the victim, her family and friends.
‘I thank the police for their swift action to arrest a suspect. I urge any witnesses to contact West Midlands Police.’
The force said: ‘We are continuing our inquiries and are keen to hear from anyone who knows more about what happened or the movements of Rafael, who was wearing an all grey tracksuit, black hat, trainers and rucksack at the time of the incident.’
Witnesses or anyone with information have been asked to contact West Midlands Police by calling 101 and quoting log 5503 of November 7.
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Man, 21, is charged with attempted murder after woman in her 30s was stabbed in the neck in Birmingham city centre