Residents on a street where a man was stabbed in the early hours of the morning have described levels of crime in the area as "a joke".
The victim was left fighting for his life in hospital after allegedly being stabbed in a home in South Shields.
Shortly after 3am on Monday, police were called to a home on Whiteleas Way where a 24-year-old man had been allegedly assaulted.
Emergency services, including armed police, attended and the victim was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries consistent with a stabbing.
Police inquiries are ongoing and a 28-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the alleged assault.
On Monday morning a cordon was in place around the Whiteleas shops between Hogarth Road and Rembrandt Avenue as the investigation continued.
Forensics teams could be seen taking pictures of the entrance to one of the flats above the shops.
Michael Hughes, who lives opposite the scene, said: "There's always trouble in those flats, I hope something gets done.
"I was mugged at the cash machine just down from there last night - so that's two incidents on the same stretch in just a few hours."
Kevin Pascoe, 60, who also lives on the same street, said: "I never heard anything. I looked out the window and it was all cordoned off and the police were here.
"When I went for a paper the policewoman said she couldn't really tell me anything because it was ongoing, but then I heard on the radio that a man had been stabbed.
"It happens all the time round here, it's a joke
I've lived here 50-odd years and it's always had a bit of a reputation.
"Someone told me that someone was robbed at the cash machine earlier as well.
"It is a bit scary like."
Anyone with any information on the alleged assault is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 108 23/12/19 or via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
