Birmingham stabbing news: Suspect at large after one killed and seven injured in ‘major’ city centre attack

Sir Keir Starmer thanks emergency services for response

The Labour leader says his thoughts are with the victims.

West Midlands Police launches murder investigation

A man has died and another man and a woman have suffered serious injuries. Five others have also been injured.

West Midlands Police commander describes events as ‘tragic, shocking and understandably frightening’

Chief Superintendent Steve Graham, who is responsible for policing in Birmingham, says: “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.”

Two people remain in hospital

Chief Superintendent Steve Graham says two other people remain in hospital being treated for critical injuries

‘Don’t be afraid, but be alert’: suspect at large

Police are looking for one suspect in relation to the stabbings.

Chief Superintendent Steve Graham said no arrests have been made and “significant resources” were being used to track the suspect.

He told reporters: “There was no suggestion that people have seen him running out of the area, searches were being made at the time, and so inquiries and searches were made but unfortunately the suspect wasn’t caught and still hasn’t been.”

He added: “Already we’ve got people going down drains, we’ve got that level of detailed searches taking place which will hopefully reassure the people that we are doing everything we can do to trace the offender.”

Mr Graham added a number of descriptions had come in of the suspect but police were not releasing anything at this time, asking the public to come forward with any information or footage they may have.

He later said there was no known connection between the victims in the four linked incidents and that extra officers have been deployed in Birmingham.

No suggestion attack was motivated by hate or gang-related

Chief Superintendent Steve Graham has said there is nothing to suggest the incident was motivated by hate or gang-related. He added that the stabbings appeared to be a random attack.

“Clearly those of you who know Birmingham city centre know that Hurst Street is part of the gay community’s night-time economy but there’s absolutely no suggestion at this point that this was in any way, shape or form motivated by hate,” he told reporters.

Asked whether the incident was gang-related, he said: “At this stage, we can’t find a particular motive but it does appear to be random in terms of the selection of the people who were attacked.”

He also said there was no evidence to show it was related to “people squabbling over tables” in the city centre.

Lone suspect remains at large

“There is absolutely no suggestion this is terror-related and it is a homicide treated by West Midlands Police,” says Chief Superintendent Steve Graham.

“We have a significant presence of armed officers in Birmingham city centre.”

Huge ambulance response was dispatched to the scene

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) said 14 ambulances were dispatched, along with 11 paramedic officers, a hazardous area response team, four critical care teams with doctors and critical care paramedics. 

A team of St John Ambulance volunteers at the SafeSpace project at the Arcadian were also involved in treating casualties and conveyed one of the patients, WMAS added. 

A total of seven patients were treated by ambulance staff – five of which were taken to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Three of the five taken to the major trauma centre had critical injuries and one man was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, WMAS said. The ambulance service said an eighth patient with minor injuries did not receive ambulance treatment.

Rise in violence ‘almost inevitable’ due to pandemic, police chief says

 David Jamieson, the west midlands police and crime commissioner, says a rise in violence was “almost inevitable” due to the pandemic. 

“I have been saying for some time, in the context of Covid-19, that a lot of the pent-up feelings of people have, and not being able to get out, and combine that with people who are now unsure about their future and about their jobs, it was almost inevitable that we would see a growth in violence,” he told reporters. 

“I’m not saying that this is directly related to that, but nevertheless we are seeing now a growth of violence among younger people, particularly younger males, we’re seeing that growing across the region. “My fear is that if we don’t address that and some of the underlying problems with some urgency then we could see that grow. 

“But, notwithstanding that, Birmingham is a good place, it’s a good place to be, it's a safe city and it is regrettable that this awful incident happened last night.”

Boris Johnson says ‘thoughts are with those affected’

The prime minister tweeted to thank emergency services