POLICE have launched an investigation after a man was stabbed during an unprovoked attack in Netherton.

The victim, a 26-year-old man, was walking along St Georges Road, near to the junction with Stirling Road, around 1.25am on Sunday (May 16), when a man approached him from behind.

The victim felt a blow to his back and quickly realised he had been stabbed.

He was taken to hospital where he was treated for his injuries, and has since been discharged.

Detective constable Simon Pittaway, from Sandwell and Dudley CID, said: “It was only moments after feeling the impact across his back that the victim realised he had received a stab wound.

“He is lucky that the weapon missed all of his vital organs, and thankfully the injury was not deemed too serious.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have information, as the motive for this attack is unknown at this stage. It is certainly unusual to hear of this kind of assault.”

The victim has described seeing a second male in the area at the time of the attack, and police are urging him to come forward as he may have been a vital witness.

The witness is described as being in his mid to late teens, white, around 5ft 9in tall, of slim build, and was wearing a light coloured hooded jacket.

DC Pittaway added: “We don’t know at this stage if this lad was just passing by and saw what happened, or he may well have been in the company of the offender. We don’t know who he is but we urge him to come forward and help us with our enquiries.”

The offender is described as a white male, in his early to mid teens, fair skinned, clean shaven, of a slight or skinny build, and wearing an oversized plain grey hooded top.

Anyone with information to help the investigation is urged to contact Sandwell and Dudley CID at Harborne police station on 0345 113 5000 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111