Kelloe stabbing: Police launch manhunt after fatal attack in County Durham village

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A police manhunt is currently underway after man was stabbed in the chest in a former mining village in County Durham.

Local residents said the victim - a local man in his early 30s - was attacked on Front Street in Kelloe, a small village in the south of the county.

He was taken to the James Cook Memorial Hospital in Middlesbrough where he died a short time later.

Locals have expressed fear about the attack which happened in broad daylight near the hairdressers and the Kelloe Working Men’s Club at around 2pm on Wednesday.

Forensic officers attended the scene and a police helicopter was deployed to search for the suspect.

One witness, who did not want to be named, said: "About 1.45pm I saw lots of police cars and an ambulance heading to the village.

"I saw lots of police officers getting changed into their armed response gear.

"Apparently there was a young man in his 30s stabbed.

"They had the police helicopter up and they're still looking for the guy who did it."

The local said there had been police activity in neighbouring villages as officers tried to find the attacker.

"There are lots of rumours going around about what happened," he said.

A Durham Constabulary spokesperson told the Newcastle Chronicle: “A man has died after he was assaulted in Kelloe, County Durham, this afternoon.

“Police attended Front Street, Kelloe, shortly after 2pm, following a report that the victim, believed to be a local man in his early 30s, had been stabbed.

“He was taken to hospital where he died a short time later.”

The police have launched an urgent appeal for any witnesses to come forward as they are urgently trying to find the attacker.

Additional reporting by PA