A 31-YEAR-OLD man was in custody last night following a murder on the Barton estate in Oxford.

Police were called to North Way shortly before 10.50pm on Tuesday after reports of a man bleeding heavily in a red Mazda parked in the road.

It is understood he had been stabbed.

The man, who police said was in his 30s, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital for treatment but died yesterday.

He is yet to be formally identified by police.

The 31-year-old man, from Oxford, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and was last night being held by police.

Forensics officers were yesterday searching bushes and gardens, but police would not confirm whether a weapon had been recovered.

Residents on the estate spoke of their shock after learning about the murder.

Mum-of-two Jabu Nala, 44, who lives in Edgecombe Road, said she saw lots of police vehicles in North Way.

She added: “I am shocked to hear someone has died.

“I grew up in Durban in South Africa and this sort of thing was a lot more common there.

“I have not had any trouble from anyone in Barton. It’s a friendly area and the neighbours help each other.”

A 50-year-old resident, who lives nearby and asked not to be named, said he saw lots of police activity and ambulance staff at about 11.30pm.

He added: “There was a red car with its lights flashing and it was taken away at 2am and put on a low-loader.

“A policewoman said it had gone to the forensics department.”

Mum-of-four Linda Taylor, 63, from Barton Village Road, said: “Barton is a lot better than it used to be – it’s worrying to hear there has been a violent incident.”

Writer Robin Gardiner, 68, who has lived nearby in Brampton Road for the past 25 years, said: “It’s a really bad do.

“This estate goes in phases – it can be a bit of a madhouse but it has been fairly quiet lately.”

Mum-of-four Susan Smith, 50, also from Brampton Road, said: “I have lived in Barton all my life – this is a shock.”

City councillor for Barton Van Coulter said he had never seen anything like it happen in Barton before.

He added: “It’s going to be quite distressing to a lot of residents in Barton. I’m aware of some low-level crime but this is something quite different. In my opinion, Barton is moving up and up. I will be going to Barton to speak to residents.”

North Way was shut between Burchester Avenue and Edgecombe Road and buses and other traffic were diverted as a result.

Police said officers would review the closure this morning.

Det Chief Insp Mike Lynch, leading the investigation, said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have seen anything to contact us as a matter of urgency.

“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen a red Mazda vehicle in the area last night.

“There are police officers currently carrying out searches at the scene. In addition, there are officers doing house to house enquiries and reassurance patrols.”

South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman Gill Hodgetts said: “We got called at 10.30pm. We treated a male who had injuries to his chest.

“He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with life-threatening injuries.”

Anyone with information should contact Thames Valley Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.