28 April 2012 Last updated at 06:28 ET

Teenagers held after man stabbed outside Birmingham flats

The stabbing took place at about 01:00 BST

Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a knife recovered after a man was stabbed near Birmingham city centre.

Officers were called to the scene, just outside the Opal One student flats at the junction of the A38 Bristol Road and Belgrave Middleway, at 01:00 BST.

West Midlands Police said a 19-year-old man with multiple stab wounds is in a critical condition in hospital.

A girl and a boy aged 16 were arrested along with a boy aged 15, police said.

Immediately after the incident, officers from across the force searched nearby canals and railway tracks supported by the force helicopter.

A knife has been recovered and is currently undergoing forensic examination, a spokesman said.

Police are currently looking at CCTV footage from the area.

Det Insp Ian Ingram, said: "The motive for the attack remains unclear at this time but I can confirm that we are treating this as attempted murder."

An area near a church on Bristol Street remains cordoned off while a forensic examination takes place.