The 26-year-old man found stabbed inside a flat has been taken off the ventilator and is breathing for himself.

Yesterday evening police were called to serious assault in a flat in Dover Court, Parkhurst Road, Sutton.

His injuries are no longer being described as life-threatening.

Herbert McKenzie lives in the flat below where the incident took place and said he thought he heard two men fighting upstairs.

One resident, who has lived in the block of flats for over 30 years, said: “We have never had anything like this happen.

“We are shocked – we have never had any problems before. This is the first incident.”

The man was taken by ambulance to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and was later moved into intensive care.

Police arrested a 34-year-old man at the scene for attempted murder. He is being held in custody at a South London police station.

Detective Sergeant Dave Adams, of Sutton Police Station is leading the investigation and said the individuals involved in the incident were known to each other.

Detectives at Sutton Police Station are appealing for anyone who saw or heard anything to come forward on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.