A teenager arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing in Blackbird Leys has been released on police bail.

The 16-year-old boy was arrested on Friday after a man in his 40s was stabbed in Mercury Road, Oxford, at around 8.50pm on Thursday night.

Thames Valley Police said the boy had now been released on bail.

READ MORE: Explained: What is a section 60 stop and search order?

The update came as a senior officer authorised enhanced stop and search powers for police officers patrolling Blackbird Leys.

The section 60 order, which will remain in force until 1pm on Sunday, allows police officers to stop and search someone without first having to have reasonable grounds to suspect they are carrying a weapon, drugs, stolen property or are involved in crime.

READ MORE: Stop and search order extended for another 24 hours after Blackbird Leys stabbing

Supt Emma Garside said: “I understand that an order of this nature could cause concern, but whilst a Section 60 order may sound alarming, enhancing our stop and search powers provides us with another tactic to quickly identify and disrupt those carrying weapons.”

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