Albany detectives arrest 19-year-old man after cleaner allegedly attacked on Albion Street, Katanning

Detectives have arrested a 19-year-old man after a cleaner was allegedly attacked with a bladed weapon in WA’s Great Southern.

Police said the cleaner, aged in his 50s, was at a toilet block on Albion Street in Katanning before he was approached by an unknown man about 8pm on Wednesday.

During a brief altercation between the pair the cleaner suffered lacerations to his hands, police said.

His injuries are not serious.

According to police, the alleged knifeman managed to steal a key from the cleaner before unsuccessfully attempting to steal his vehicle.

A St John WA ambulance crew was treating the victim at the scene just before 9pm.

Albany detectives had taken a 19-year-old man into custody over the incident around 8.30am on Thursday morning.

He was arrested in the inner Albany suburb of Yakamia, which is around 170km south of Katanning.

Police said he was assisting detectives with their investigation into the incident.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.