A man has died and several others have sustained injuries after a series of stabbings in Birmingham.
A murder investigation has been launched by police in West Midlands after the man, whose age is not known, died the attacks across the city centre.
A man and woman suffered serious injuries and five others have also been injured in what police have described as a "tragic, shocking and frightening" series of events.
Officers were called to reports of a stabbing at around 12.30am on Sunday, which was then followed by reports of other incidents in the area.
Chief Superintendent Steve Graham, of West Midlands Police, said police are looking for one suspect in relation to stabbings in Birmingham which left one man dead and seven others injured.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, said: “Last night’s events are truly terrible and have shocked the people of Birmingham, the West Midlands and the country.
“My first thoughts are with the victims and their families at this time.
“I have every faith in West Midlands Police who are working extremely quickly on this investigation.
“My thanks also go to the ambulance and hospital staff who are working around the clock to help those who have been injured.”
Chief Superintendent Steve Graham, responsible for policing in Birmingham, said: “The events during the early hours of this morning are tragic, shocking and understandably frightening.
“Please be assured that we are doing absolutely everything we can to find whoever was responsible and try to understand what exactly happened.
“We have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. Your safety is always our priority and that’s why you’ll see an increase in officers on the streets.
“In the meantime, we’d ask anyone who’s in the city to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to us.”
We are aware of a number of injured people, but at the moment we are not in a position to say how many or how serious. However, all emergency services are working together at the scene, and making sure that those who are injured receive medical care. More: https://t.co/5CGvN5y0el
— West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) September 6, 2020
West Midlands Police have cordoned off several streets in the city, including Livery Street, Irving Street and Hurst Street.
They say they believe the incidents, which took place between 12.30am and 2.20am are linked.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, said: “Last night’s events are truly terrible and have shocked the people of Birmingham, the West Midlands and the country.
“My first thoughts are with the victims and their families at this time.
“I have every faith in West Midlands Police who are working extremely quickly on this investigation.
“My thanks also go to the ambulance and hospital staff who are working around the clock to help those who have been injured.”
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said those in the vicinity of the major incident in Birmingham should be “very vigilant”.
Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Mr Raab said: “My thoughts are with the victims and their families, there is obviously an ongoing police investigation.
“I can’t say too much more at this stage but people should be very vigilant if they are in that area.”
West Midlands mayor Andy Street said his thoughts are with those affected by the major incident in Birmingham but asked people not to speculate about it.
He tweeted: “I would ask everyone to not speculate about the incident in Birmingham. West Midlands Police are set to hold a press conference this morning. My thoughts are with those affected and my thanks to the emergency services working to deal with this incident.
“The city remains open for business as usual this morning but clearly people are asked to avoid the immediate area surrounding Hurst Street while police carry out their investigation.”
One witness, Cara, told BBC Radio Five Live she thought it was “one group of boys against another group of boys”.
She told the station she had heard racial slurs during the incident, adding it was a “multicultural night” in the clubs near the Arcadia complex.
She added: “They were not just having an argument and then fighting, it was straight into fists being thrown. There was not much talking going on.
“Drinks were being dropped, bottles that they had obviously bought in the club, rings were falling off so jewellery was going everywhere, clothes were being torn.
“One of the males actually ended up with his hair being pulled out and left with a bald patch.”
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