Seventh man stabbed by serial attacker in Lozells [with CCTV picture]
A SEVENTH man has been stabbed by a serial attacker preying on a Birmingham suburb, police have revealed.
Detectives have launched a special operation after linking seven terrifying attacks that have all taken place in Lozells since June 9.
The latest victim, a 40-year-old man, was stabbed twice as he walked along Leonard Road at 7.15pm on Wednesday, but survived with non-life threatening injuries.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Bimson, senior investigating officer, said all the attacks were being linked as they were against lone adult men, aged between 19 and 56, and had all taken place close together within an area of Lozells.
The motive behind the attacks is currently a mystery to police.
A CCTV image of a man connected with the attacks has been released under Operation Greenpathway.
DCI Bimson appealed to the public for information and said: “We are concerned about the nature of these assaults, and the number that we now believe to be linked to the same offender.
“Thankfully the injuries caused during these assaults have not been serious so far, but this does not affect the nature of our investigation.
“We are taking these crimes very seriously. We know that robbery is not a motive, as nothing has been taken by the offender in any of the incidents and we do not believe that he is specifically targeting his victims for a reason such as race or any other hate crime.
“No words have been spoken by the offender to any of his victims.
“The majority of these incidents have also taken place in hours of darkness, when there have been few people around.
“We have increased patrols in the area and have spoken with local residents and community groups in an effort to gain further information to assist the inquiry and provide people with knowledge they need to help keep them safe.”
The offender is described as a black man, aged between 18 and 30, with a slim build and between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall.
The man has kept his face covered throughout each assault, so detectives are desperate for help in stopping the attacker in his tracks.
Police said so far none of the victims had been seriously injured but on each occasion a knife was either used or seen by the victim.
Officers urge anyone with information relating to the incidents, or who recognises the description of the offender to contact CID at Thornhill Road police station as soon as possible on 0845 113 5000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
