Police hunt Birmingham man who attacked woman with meat cleaver

Police are hunting a “dangerous” man from Birmingham over a vicious domestic assault in which a woman was attacked with a meat cleaver.

West Midlands Police has issued an “urgent” appeal for help finding Cleon Smith, 42, who is sought in connection with the attack in Handsworth, northwest Birmingham, on Monday.

Police say Smith dragged a 42-year-old woman from her car and repeatedly struck her with a cleaver, leaving her with cuts to her head and a wound to her hand.

A 21-year-old woman was also in the car and her hand was cut.

Smith is also suspected of fracturing the 42-year-old woman’s cheekbones in Moseley three days earlier, punching her about 20 times and hitting her with a baton.

Police have used warrants at 10 separate addresses in Birmingham to find Smith but to no avail.

Superintendent Nick Walton said: “Smith is a dangerous offender who we want to speak to about two violent assaults on a woman where weapons were used.

“We need to get this man in custody as soon as possible and I’d urge anyone who’s seen him or has information that could help our enquiries to get in touch.

“We don’t need people’s names and information can be passed to us in confidence; we just want information to help us trace Smith.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or message online.

Alternatively, they can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

People can contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat at WMP Online or by calling 101.