Birmingham stabbings: One dead and seven injured in attack, West Midlands police say

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West Midlands Police says a murder investigation has been launched after one man died and seven others were injured following stabbings in Birmingham overnight.

A police statement said: "We can now confirm that we've launched a murder investigation following the events in Birmingham city centre overnight.

"A man has tragically died. Another man and a woman have suffered serious injuries and five others have also been injured, although their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

"We believe the incidents, which took place between 12.30am and 2.20am, are linked and we're doing all we can to find whoever was responsible."

The West Midlands Police statement added: "We continue to hold a number of scenes across the city, including Livery Street, Irving Street and Hurst Street. "We're urging anyone who witnessed anything or anyone who has any CCTV or mobile phone footage to get in contact as soon as possible, as the information you have may be crucial to our investigation.''

Speaking after the stabbing incidents in Birmingham, assistant chief ambulance officer Nathan Hudson said: "This was clearly a very serious situation with a large number of patients, some with very serious injuries.

"My thoughts are with the families of those hurt, particularly of the man who tragically lost his life.

"I must pay tribute to the ambulance staff who worked so hard at the scene and en-route to hospital to help each of the patients hurt.

"We train for incidents like this on a regular basis which meant that we were able to get a large number of ambulance resources into the scene very rapidly so that patients got the care they needed as quickly as possible."