BLOODY fingerprints, pooled blood on a pavement and a couple of police cars were this afternoon the only reminders of a Boxing Day assault.

Detectives are investigating the attack, which has left a 34-year-old man in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police had shut Faringdon Road in both directions, although the cordon was lifted at around 1pm.

A small police presence remains on Cambria Place. Forensics officers have spent the morning inside a shared house on the corner of Faringdon Road and Cambria Place.

Swindon Advertiser:

Blood on the pavement on Faringdon Road Picture: ADVER

Neighbours described hearing a man screaming and knocking on doors along Faringdon Road at around 6am.

Edward Ciobanu, 27, told the Adver a man had been “knocking at the door screaming”. “I was just watching out the window. I don’t know what happened,” he said.

READ MORE: Police statement as man receives 'life-threatening injuries' in assault

READ MORE: Faringdon Road shut by police

Jacqueline Moura, 33, was one of those who heard the screaming. She said of the heavy police presence: “It makes you feel scared.”

Bloody fingerprints had been left behind on one doorway. Blood was pooled on the pavement on the corner near Maxwell Street.

Wiltshire Police said officers were called at around 6am to reports of a disorder. A 34-year-old man was taken to John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, with life-threatening injuries.

Swindon Advertiser:

Fingermarks in blood on the wall of one house on Faringdon Road