Man dies after stabbing near city primary school

A man has died and a woman has been injured following a stabbing near a primary school in Birmingham which police are now treating as a murder investigation.

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

A 32-year-old man was arrested in connection with the events and remained in police custody on Tuesday.

West Midlands Police confirmed on Tuesday evening that a man in his 20s had died. The force said earlier that the woman's injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing, and added the attack was a contained incident and officers were reviewing CCTV footage.

The force also said a number of firearms officers – uniformed and plain clothed – attended the incident, adding that their deployment was routine when a weapon was used in a public place.

The incident was not being treated as terrorism related, police stated.

"Our thoughts remain with the man's family at this time," Det Supt James Munro said.

"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."

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

The BBC has seen text messages sent to parents from the school, which confirmed it would close 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 cordoned off the area with a number of emergency vehicles.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said she had been 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."

Police appealed to anyone who had information related to the matter to get in touch.

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