An 83-year-old woman is in hospital with serious injuries after being stabbed in the face by a stranger, Windsor police say.

The woman was walking near Ottawa Street around 11 a.m. Wednesday near Brush Salon when the man approached her from behind and stabbed her more than once in the "facial area," according to Windsor police. Police spokesman Const. Andrew Drouillard described the attack as a "random attack."

Windsor police officers investigate a stabbing on Ottawa Street. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)

The woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but she is expected to survive, Drouillard said.

Windsor police released the image of a suspect believed to be involved in a stabbing near the intersection of Ottawa Street and Hall Avenue. (Windsor Police Service)

Drouillard said the man took off the plaid shirt he was wearing as he fled the scene. Though police seized the knife used in the attack, Drouillard says he may be armed with a weapon and the public is asked to stay away from him.

Police arrested a suspect Wednesday afternoon.