Man stabbed near Birmingham primary school

A man has been stabbed and a woman also injured in an attack near a primary school.

Emergency services, including firearms officers, were called to Bridge Road, in Alum Rock, Birmingham, shortly after 12:00 GMT following reports a man had been seriously injured.

A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attack and remains in police custody.

West Midlands Police said the woman's injuries were not life-threatening, adding that it was a contained incident and officers were reviewing CCTV footage in the area.

"We understand how deeply distressing and concerning this incident is and we will have extra officers in the area to offer reassurance to the community," Det Supt James Munro said.

One mother, who was collecting her children from a nearby primary school, described how it had been put into "lockdown".

The BBC has seen text messages sent to parents from the school, which confirmed it would be closing early and advised that pupils should be collected at 14:20 GMT.

"Due to an incident on Bridge Road, we have been advised to dismiss early," the message said.

A nearby nursery was also placed in lockdown following the attack.

Police have cordoned off the area with a number of emergency vehicles at the scene.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said she was unable to get back into her apartment block following the incident.

"I'm so scared to walk alone on the streets," she told the BBC.

"This is the first time I've heard news like this and I'm scared."

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it responded to reports of a stabbing after receiving multiple 999 calls.

"Crews arrived to find a man with serious injuries and administered advanced life support on scene," a spokesperson said.

"A second patient, a woman, was treated for less serious injuries."