Birmingham Stabbing: Man Charged with Attempted Murder After City Centre Attack

British police car at Birmingham crime scene with headline 'Man charged with attempted murder' in bold red banner. — British police car at Birmingham crime scene with headline ‘Man charged with attempted murder’ in bold red banner.

Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Shocking Birmingham City Centre Stabbing

The Bullring shopping area, central Birmingham — the attack took place on Smallbrook Queensway nearby.

West Midlands Police have charged a 21-year-old man with attempted murder after a woman was seriously injured in a stabbing on Smallbrook Queensway, beside the Bullring and Grand Central shopping complex in central Birmingham. The force described the incident as unprovoked; the suspect was arrested close to the scene shortly after emergency services attended.

Police cordon on Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham — Police cordon on Smallbrook Queensway during the investigation.

What happened

Police were called shortly before 9pm on Friday 7 November after reports of a stabbing on Smallbrook Queensway. Officers and ambulance crews found a woman in her 30s with a serious neck injury; she was taken to hospital for urgent care and has been described as in a critical condition. Investigating officers said the attack appeared to be unprovoked

Arrest and charges

The arrested man, identified in court papers as Djeison Rafael, 21, has been charged with attempted murder, two counts of assault and possession of a bladed article. He was remanded to appear before Birmingham magistrates in the days following the incident. The Crown Prosecution Service will handle the prosecution as the legal process progresses.

Magistrates’ courts handle initial hearings for serious charges such as attempted murder.

Police enquiries and public appeal

Detectives have appealed for witnesses and any mobile phone footage from the area to be submitted to aid enquiries. West Midlands Police set up a Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) for people to upload images or video relevant to the investigation, and asked the public to quote log number 5503 of 7 November when contacting officers.

Close-up of crime scene tape reading 'Do Not Cross' — Police asked anyone with footage to submit it via the Major Incident Public Portal.

Scene and local impact

Smallbrook Queensway is a busy pedestrian route beside one of Birmingham’s main shopping hubs. The presence of a serious incident in such a location has prompted reassurance patrols by local officers and temporary disruption for nearby shops and commuters while investigators preserve and examine evidence.

Legal context and next steps

Attempted murder is a grave charge that requires prosecutors to show intent to kill or cause really serious harm. The defendant will face initial hearings in the magistrates’ courts; if the case proceeds, further hearings will test the evidence in Crown Court. Police say enquiries will continue while the legal process runs its course.

Legal books and gavel (illustrative) — Charges will be considered by the courts; this article reports the facts as released by police and reputable outlets.

Wider context: knife crime and prevention

Knife-related incidents remain an enforcement and community-safety priority. Authorities and civic groups typically recommend a combination of visible policing, targeted prevention work, robust CCTV coverage and community outreach to reduce risk and help keep public spaces safe.

Advice for the public

Members of the public are asked to remain vigilant and to report suspicious behaviour. In an emergency call 999; for non-urgent information contact West Midlands Police on 101 and quote incident log 5503 of 7 November. Anyone with footage should consider uploading it to the Major Incident Public Portal to assist detectives.

Person making a phone call (illustrative) — If you have information, call 999 for an emergency or 101 for non-urgent reports; footage can be uploaded via the police portal.

Responsible reporting

News organisations are urged to avoid graphic detail, respect victims’ privacy, and use verified sources. This article is based on official police releases and reporting from reputable outlets; readers should follow police channels for confirmed updates.

Journalists in a newsroom (illustrative) — Responsible reporting supports victims and the investigation.Summary

A 21-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after an unprovoked stabbing on Smallbrook Queensway, central Birmingham. West Midlands Police continue to investigate and have appealed for witnesses and footage. The legal process will follow as the courts consider the charges and evidence.