THE family of a man who was stabbed when he intervened in a fight have criticised the police handling of the incident.

Relatives of builder Roy Sinclair say police officers have left them in the dark over his stabbing in Blackbird Leys on Thursday evening.

Jamaican Mr Sinclair was knifed twice when he stepped in to a brawl outside his home in Windrush Tower, in Blackbird Leys Road.

The 38-year-old suffered major injuries to his lung and kidney and remains in a stable condition in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

His sister and niece, who live on the estate and were too scared of reprisals to be named, said they did not know what was going on with the case because the police had not spoken to the family since Friday.

Mr Sinclair's niece said she only found out that four suspects had been bailed through the Press, and added: "I have not heard anything from the police. It is like the police will only do something when there is someone six feet under.

"Blackbird Leys is a dangerous place. I feel unsafe because there are no police around when you need them."

Mr Sinclair's sister said: "The police do not say anything to us. I do not know what is going on.

"I cried for two days after it happened. I do not sleep. I do not eat. I am stressed because it is my brother and I love my brother."

On Friday, youth group Leys CDI contacted the police to ask for more officers on the estate because of the heightened tension in the area.

But neighbours say they have not seen any more officers on the beat and have also questioned why police are refusing to offer any public reassurance to the estate.

One worker at a shop next to the site of the stabbing, said: "I have not seen any police at all. I have been doing long shifts the past three days and I know for a fact there has not been any police about."

David Lamin, 19, from Pegasus Road, said: "I have not seen more police around. I think it would be good if they released a statement to tell us what is going on and what they are going to do to prevent things like this in the future."

James Beal, 19, of Sandy Lane, said: "More police should be out and about. There have been a few PCSOs about but they cannot do anything - they can only sit there and watch if something happens."

A Thames Valley Police spokesman refuted the criticisms. He said: "We have been in regular contact with the family, including the victim. The victim was seen in hospital yesterday.

"There has been a high police presence and the area has been resourced in line with the incident."

Two youths aged 16, a 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy who were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent have been bailed until Friday, September 21.

A 17-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and for possession of an offensive weapon is due to answer bail on Monday, September 3.