A man has been arrested after a 71-year-old man suffered serious head injuries in an assault in Headington.

The victim was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where he remains in a serious but stable condition following the assault at 10.50am yesterday.

Police said a 39-year-old man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of GBH in connection with the incident in Marsh Lane.

He was later released on police bail until October 2.

A 48-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of common assault in connection with the incident and was bailed until the same date.

While officers were attending the scene a man barricaded himself inside a property in the street and threatened officers with a knife.

Officers used a Taser to arrest the man.

A scene watch is currently in place in Marsh Lane.

Det Insp Jim Holmes said: "Officers are in the process of making enquiries in to the circumstances of how the man came to sustain injuries.

“People locally may notice an increased police presence in the area however do not need to be concerned.

"If there are any issues they would like to raise, they can speak to a police officer in the area or call 101 to speak to the neighbourhood team.”