Woman stabbed in neck in 'unprovoked attack'

The stabbing took place in a busy part of the city centre, near to New Street station

A woman is in a critical condition after being stabbed in the neck in an "unprovoked attack" in Birmingham city centre.

A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the attack on Friday night.

It happened on Smallbrook Queensway, just outside the Bullring shopping centre and opposite the main entrance to New Street railway station, shortly before 21:00 GMT.

A woman in her 30s suffered a serious neck injury and is in hospital in a critical condition, West Midlands Police said.

The force said a man was arrested close to the scene and remained in custody.

Police were called just before 21:00 GMT on Friday

Officers are currently carrying out inquiries near the scene, which is in an extremely busy part of the city centre near to the Bullring.

A police tent remains on the pavement, just outside the huge shopping centre and opposite the main entrance to New Street.

"We believe this was an unprovoked attack and are working to understand why it happened," said Det Insp James Nix.

"We will have officers in the area today to continue our investigation and provide reassurance.

"We are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident."

Police said they believed the attack was unprovoked

The force has appealed for witnesses, and urged anyone who knows more to contact 101.

St Martin's Queensway westbound has been closed from Moor Street Queensway to Smallbrook Queensway.

Buses are being diverted on to Moor Street.

The cordon is expected to be in place all day, the BBC has been told.