LAST UPDATE | 6 Sep 2020
ONE MAN HAS died and seven people have been injured in stabbings in Birmingham overnight, West Midlands Police in England have confirmed.
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.”
A ‘major incident’ had earlier been declared by police, who are now looking for one suspect in relation to the stabbings.
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.”
Officers were called to reports of a stabbing at around 12.30am this morning, which was then followed by reports of other incidents in the area.
Chief Superintendent Steve Graham, who is 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.”
Graham said that there is no suggestion that the stabbings in Birmingham were “motivated by hate”.
#UPDATE | We can confirm that at approximately 12:30am today we were called to reports of a stabbing in #Birmingham city centre.
— West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) September 6, 2020
We immediately attended, along with colleagues from the ambulance service. A number of other stabbings were reported in the area shortly after.
The Arcadian venue, located around five minutes’ walk from Birmingham New Street station, is a hub of restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs and hotels.
Featuring an open air central piazza, it is close to the city’s Chinese Quarter and Gay Village areas.
One witness, Cara, told BBC Radio Five Live this morning that 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.
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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