'You don't expect things like this outside your front door' - Smethwick residents shock after second violent incident in two days leaves two people seriously injured

West Midlands Police said it was investigating after a man and woman were found near the junction of St Marys Road and Bearwood Road in Smethwick at around 1.45am on Thursday morning.

The force said they were taken to hospital and that enquiries into what had happened were taking place, with a cordon around the entrance to St Mary's Bearwood church visible throughout the day.

There were also police officers at the two entrances and a blue tarpaulin seen on the ground, while a member of the West Midlands Police Forensics team was working at the scene and photographing evidence, including a hammer found on the ground.

The incident is the latest to happen in the area, following on from a man being left with serious leg injuries after being shot on Bearwood High Street on Wednesday, and with two major incidents in the last month alone.

Three people were left with injuries following a disorder on Bearwood High Street on February 11, with three men arrested on suspicion of assault, while the murder of Zeshan Afzal at the Jamia Masjid Mosque on Oldbury Road on February 20 has seen seven people arrested in connection.

Residents living on St Marys Road were reflecting on another violent act happening in their area and surprise that it could happen in an area they felt was fairly safe.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I was outside at the time and heard shouting from a man and a woman, but didn't think anything of it until this morning when I ready about it on Facebook and then saw the police tape up.

"It's very surprising that it's happened and I do wonder if I need to speak to my landlord about putting up a CCTV camera, but I've lived here since last year and apart from drunk people coming out of the pub, it's never felt unsafe.

"I'd never expect anything like this or the shooting that happened the other night."

Another resident. who didn't want to be named, said it was a surprise, but not something that filled her with fear.

She said: "I've been getting the information off of Facebook and social media, much like everyone else, and trying to find out what's happened.

"I don't feel particularly frightened as it's fairly out of the ordinary for this area, but I'm more just sad for the people affected by this and the level of society hit by it.

"It's not really a concern for me and I think it's unfair for people to say Bearwood is unsafe as I think it's a good area which just gets blighted by incidents like this."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called to reports of a stabbing at around 1.45am today.

"A man in his 30s was taken to hospital with serious injuries, where he remains. Enquiries are ongoing to establish exactly what happened.

"We understand the concern in the community following incidents this week.  We are maintaining a visible presence in the area, and will be carrying out reassurance patrols.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact us. You can do so via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting log 224 of 12 March.

"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

West Midlands Ambulance Service said:  "We were called to reports of an assault at the junction of St Marys Road and Bearwood Road in Smethwick at 1.38am. 

"Two ambulances were sent to the scene where, on arrival, crews found a man and a woman. Ambulance staff treated them for serious injuries before they were conveyed to hospital.