Detectives hunting the attackers of a man left with multiple stab wounds in an Ipswich flat have arrested a 24-year-old woman.

The 42-year-old victim is being treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge after being seriously injured during the assault in Dillwyn Street, off Handford Road, early on Saturday evening.

Police said the female suspect, was detained shortly after 9pm yesterday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. She is currently in custody at Martlesham police investigation centre.

The ambulance service is understood to have been alerted to the attack by someone who knew the victim. They called police, who were the first of the emergency services to enter the flat.

Officers found the 42-year-old man with a number of wounds to his body. He was taken to Ipswich Hospital with various injuries, including a collapsed lung.

He was later transferred to Addenbrooke’s where he was said to be in a stable condition.

Police declined to say how many stab wounds the victim had sustained, but it is believed there were less than six. Officers have not said what weapon inflicted the injuries or whether they have found it.

The man came out of the flats after being stabbed and blood was found in the street. However, he had gone back to the flat before police arrived.

Dillwyn Street was cordoned off for a period of time on Saturday night.

The group who were involved in the attack are believed to have run off in different directions. At least one is thought to have gone down an alleyway.

On Sunday there was a heavy police presence in the area, which officers conducting house-to-house enquiries.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary said: “We are looking into the possibility that the offenders may have been known to the man who was injured.”

A resident of Dillwyn Street, who did not want to be named, said yesterday: “I saw nothing and I heard nothing at the time but I know that road was blocked all night.

“The police spoke to me at about 11am but I told them I didn’t know anything about what happened.

“This is usually a safe place to live. It can be noisy at times but there is not normally any trouble.”

Anyone who was in the area around the time of the attack – between 6.30pm and 6.45pm on Saturday – who saw something that could help the investigation, or anyone with information about those responsible, is asked to call Suffolk police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111