Birmingham city centre attack: Multiple people stabbed as police declare major incident

Witness describes incident as appearing to be ‘one group of boys against another group of boys’

Multiple people have been stabbed in Birmingham city centre, with police declaring a major incident.

Officers and paramedics were called to reports of a knife attack at about 12.30am on Sunday, and further stabbings were later reported.

Eye-witnesses reported as many as eight people being injured.

West Midlands Police said there were “a number” of victims, but the severity of their injuries was not immediately known.

The force denied reports of gunshots being fired, and added: “It would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.”

Witness Cara Curran, a club promoter working in the Arcadian hub of restaurants, bars and clubs, said she had heard racial slurs during the incident and described the attack as appearing to be “one group of boys against another group of boys”.

She told BBC Radio 5 Live: “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.”

Most of Hurst Street has been taped off, an area that had already been closed off to traffic to aid social distancing. 

Several yellow police evidence markers could be seen on the ground, some near to broken glass. 

Two forensic tents had also been set up in nearby Irving Street, close to the gates of a primary school. 

Police said the response would be ongoing “for some time” and urged people to stay away from the area.

“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,” the force added.

“However, all emergency services are working together at the scene, and making sure that those who are injured receive medical care.

“Work is still going on to establish what has happened, and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything.”

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said a “very serious incident” had occurred and added that he was not aware of any information providing a link to terrorism.

“I think at this point in time we don’t know too much more than that other than to say the public should be very vigilant,” he told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show.

Mr Marr asked: “At this stage we’re not treating it as a terrorist incident?”

Mr Raab replied: “I haven’t got any information to that extent.”

Andy Street, the mayor of the west midlands, asked people not to speculate about the incident.

He tweeted: “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.”