A man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was stabbed in the neck in Birmingham city centre.

West Midlands police were called to reports of a stabbing at Smallbrook Queensway outside the Bullring shopping centre, shortly before 9pm on Friday.

The woman in her 30s sustained a “serious neck injury” and is in a critical condition in hospital.

Djeison Rafael, 21, is charged with attempted murder, along with two counts of assault and possession of a blade.

West Midlands police said Rafael, who they described as “a black British national”, had been remanded to appear before magistrates in Birmingham on Monday.

DI James Nix said earlier: “We believe this was an unprovoked attack and are working to understand why it happened. We will have officers in the area today to continue our investigation and provide reassurance.

“We are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”