Birmingham stabbings: Police arrest man, 27, on suspicion of murder and attempted murder

[MenInG]

A number of people have been stabbed in Birmingham city centre and police have since declared a "major incident".

West Midlands Police said they were called to reports of a stabbing at around 00:30 BST on Sunday.

A number of other stabbings were reported in the area shortly after and officers said a number of people had been injured.

A "major incident" means there has been serious harm or a security risk to the public.

It also means that special arrangements are in place for all of the emergency services to work together now.

The force said: "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."

It said emergency services were working together at the scene, and making sure that those who were injured received medical care.

Remain 'calm but vigilant'
The West Midlands Police statement continued: "Work is still going on to establish what has happened, and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything.

"At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.

"The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. Our response is ongoing in Birmingham city centre and will be for some time. Cordons are in place, and there are some road closures."

People are being asked to remain calm but vigilant, and to stay away from the area.

The police cordon is near the area known as the Gay Village in the centre of Birmingham, the BBC's Simon Jones said.

Many people had been seated at outdoor tables eating and drinking on Saturday evening.

The streets in the area had already been closed to traffic due to Coronavirus restrictions.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-54045143

 

[Bhaijaan]

Terrible.

Hoping no casualities.

 

[MenInG]

A number of people have been stabbed in Birmingham city centre and police have declared a "major incident".

West Midlands Police said they were called to reports of a stabbing at around 00:30 BST on Sunday, with other stabbings reported shortly afterwards.

Police said there were "a number of injured people" but they could not say how many or how seriously.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said the incidents in the Hurst Street area "look to be related".

However he said the motivation was still unknown. A police briefing is expected this morning.

A "major incident" describes any situation involving serious harm or a security risk to the public.

It also means special arrangements are in place for all of the emergency services to work together.

'Shell-shocked'
Witness Cara Curran, a club promoter working in the Arcadian Centre, said it had been busier during the evening than it had been at any time since the start of lockdown.

She said she had finished her shift at about 00:30 BST and was drinking with colleagues when she heard a "loud bang and quite a lot of commotion".

She added: "I found multiple people having fist fights... people from inside pubs and clubs came out and started to see what was going on.

"There were females, males, old people, young people, such a mix of people, it didn't seem real at the time.

"Working on the club scene for over two years, I've always seen quite a lot of fights but it was nothing like tonight. The body language and demeanour was quite different.

"The amount of things that I've heard have happened tonight in the space of three hours, with the stabbings that have happened, the car crashes and multiple other things it's such a huge shock to me.

"For me to be an eyewitness to something that has happened it's been quite an emotional night to the point where I'm actually still a bit shell-shocked."

'Series of incidents'
Mayor Andy Street said he had been briefed by the chief constable and could confirm there had been a "series of incidents in the Hurst Street area".

He added: "The motivation is not yet understood. The area is calm and the public has been told to go about their business but remain vigilant."

West Midlands Police said: "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."

It said emergency services were working together at the scene, and making sure that those who were injured received medical care.

The statement continued: "Work is still going on to establish what has happened, and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything.

"At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.

"The emergency services have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. Our response is ongoing in Birmingham city centre and will be for some time. Cordons are in place, and there are some road closures."

The force later said there had not been any reports of gunshots, adding: "We're aware of some comments that gunshots were fired, this has not been reported to us at this stage."

Gay Village
The police cordon is near the area known as the Gay Village in the centre of Birmingham, the BBC's Simon Jones said.

Many people had been seated at outdoor tables eating and drinking on Saturday evening.

The streets in the area had already been closed to traffic due to coronavirus restrictions.

Simon Jones said there had also been some police activity at a second location in the Snow Hill area, about a 10-minute walk from the cordoned-off area, which is believed to be linked to the Hurst Street incident.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said those in the vicinity of the major incident in Birmingham should be "very vigilant".

Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, Mr Raab said: "My thoughts are with the victims and their families, there is obviously an ongoing police investigation.

"I can't say too much more at this stage but people should be very vigilant if they are in that area."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-54045143

 

[sweep_shot]

Wow!

I hope nobody lost life.

We don't need these during COVID-19.

 

[MenInG]

One man has died and two other people are seriously injured following a "random" series of stabbings in Birmingham city centre.

Five others were also injured in what West Midlands Police have described as a "major incident" overnight - and a murder investigation has been launched.

One unknown male suspect is being sought but no arrests have been made, a police spokesman told a news conference on Sunday, adding that the public should remain "alert".

There is no suggestion of terrorism, gang involvement, or that the stabbings were a hate crime, with police describing it as a "random attack with no clear motive".

Officers and ambulance crews were called to reports of a stabbing in the city centre at 12:30am on Sunday, and a "number of other stabbings were reported in the area shortly after".

Eyewitnesses reported as many as eight people were injured during what police have since described as a "linked series" of incidents.

Police confirmed early on Sunday morning that a "major incident" had been declared, but work was still ongoing to determine how many people had been injured.

The force later said ahead of the 11am news conference: "We can now confirm that we have launched a murder investigation following last night's events.

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

Emergency service personnel - including armed police - have remained on the scene throughout the morning, with forensic tents having been erected in several streets and road closures in place.

One small blue forensic tent was seen in Barwick Street and two other tents were put up in Irving Street, close to the gates of a primary school.

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

Police have urged people to remain calm and stay away from the area, and have warned that the response would be ongoing "for some time".

Sky reporter Lape Banjo-Olarinoye said those who were injured are being treated at local hospitals.

She said the stabbings "are said to have taken place in the areas of Snow Hill and about a mile away on Hurst Street in the Arcadian area, an area popular for its nightlife and social activities".

Arcadian is a hub of restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs and hotels - located around five minutes' walk from Birmingham New Street station, close to the city's Chinese Quarter and Gay Village areas.

Most of Hurst Street, which runs past the Arcadian, was taped off on Sunday morning, in an area which had already been closed off to traffic to aid social distancing.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said anyone close to the area should be "very vigilant".

Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday, Mr Raab said: "My thoughts are with the victims and their families, there is obviously an ongoing police investigation.

"I can't say too much more at this stage, but people should be very vigilant if they are in that area."

https://news.sky.com/story/one-dead...-stabbings-in-birmingham-city-centre-12065037

 

[Bewal Express]

The Times and Guardian are saying one dead. Absolutely horrible and horrific.

 

[in_cutter]

Wow!

I hope nobody lost life.

We don't need these during COVID-19.

We don’t need this at any time

 

[Firebat]

Birmingham stabbings: Manhunt as one killed and seven hurt

A knifeman who killed one man and wounded seven other people in a two-hour stabbing rampage across Birmingham city centre is being hunted by police.

The first stabbing was in Constitution Hill at 00:30 BST then the killer moved south, apparently attacking at random, officers said.

The stabbings did not appear terrorism related, gang related or connected to disorder, West Midlands Police said.

Murder inquiry detectives said they were hunting a single suspect.

The force urged anyone with CCTV or mobile footage to contact them.

One man died, another man and a woman suffered critical injuries and five other people were left with non-life-threatening injuries.

Ch Supt Steve Graham said the attacker went on to stab people in Livery Street, Irving Street and finally in Hurst Street, where the city's Gay Village meets the Chinese Quarter, at about 02:20 BST.

Police said there was no evidence the stabbings were a hate crime.

Mr Graham said officers - some armed - remained across the city centre to reassure people.

He added they had received a number of descriptions of the suspect but would not be releasing any details at this time.

Mr Graham said: "The events during the early hours of this morning are tragic, shocking and understandably frightening.

"It does appear to be a random attack because we haven't found any links between the victims, either in their nature or in where they were socialising.

"Please be assured that we are doing absolutely everything we can to find whoever was responsible and try to understand what exactly happened."

Savvas Sfrantzis, who was working nearby, said he saw a man stab a girl multiple times but people thought at first he was trying to take her necklace.

"He was like very cold and he wasn't panicking and he wasn't reacting or anything. After he stabbed her between five and seven times... he walked off as if nothing has happened," he said.

Officers earlier found a knife in a drain but Mr Graham said it was "way too early" to say if it was connected to the case.

"What I think it does suggest is the comprehensive nature of our inquiry - that already we've got people going down drains - we've got that level of detailed searches taking place," he said.

David Nash, who was running the Village Inn in Hurst Street, said after a "normal night" he heard someone shout "stop him - he's just stabbed somebody" between 02:00 and 02:15.

"The bars were starting to wind down and the next thing we know the area is engulfed with armed response vehicles, normal police vehicles, police on foot, ambulances," he said.

"They just came from absolutely nowhere and the area was full of them and then the police helicopter was up."

He said he then saw paramedics treating two people who seemed to have been stabbed.

Nathan Hudson, from West Midlands Ambulance Service, said 14 ambulances attended and he was among 11 paramedic officers who were also sent to help.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked emergency services "working hard at the scene".

He tweeted: "All my thoughts are with those affected by the terrible incident in Birmingham last night."

Witness Cara Curran, a club promoter working in the Arcadian Centre, said it had been busier during the evening than it had been at any time since the start of lockdown.

She said she had finished her shift at about 00:30 BST and was drinking with colleagues when she heard a "loud bang and quite a lot of commotion".

The streets in the area had already been closed to traffic due to coronavirus restrictions.

Outside the cordoned-off area, much of the city centre, such as Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre and the Sealife Centre in Brindleyplace, is open as usual.

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Jamieson said police would be working with the city council to see if there were "any further measures that need to be taken in the city centre", following the stabbings.

A rise in violence was "almost inevitable" due to the pandemic, when people were suffering "pent -up feelings" and some were unsure of their futures, the Labour PCC said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-54045143

 

[MenInG]

Police investigating a series of stabbings in Birmingham - one of them fatal - say they have had a "strong response" after releasing CCTV footage of a suspect.

The video shows a man wearing a baseball cap and a dark hoodie with white drawstrings, dark trousers and shoes.

West Midlands Police tweeted that detectives are "following up several new lines of enquiry".

A team is working through the night and anyone with information is urged to call a hotline on 0800 056 0944.

Chief Superintendent Steve Graham said witnesses had been interviewed to "ensure we release the best possible video and image of the man we want to speak to".

The force said extra officers had "flooded the city centre", adding that "four scenes have been held throughout the day and forensic experts have examined each area".

Detectives said there was "no suggestion" the attacks were linked to terrorism.

A 23-year-old man suffered fatal injuries, police said, while a 19-year-old man and a woman, 32, had critical injuries.

Another five people, aged between 23 and 33, were taken to hospital after also being hurt. Two have been discharged so far.

Mr Graham said: "At this stage we believe that the attacks were random and we have no indication of a motive.

"I would urge people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to us."

Anyone who recognises the man is advised not to approach him, and to call 999 immediately.

Earlier, police said they believed the stabbings were linked.

Birmingham stabbing

'I saw attacker stab a girl in neck then walk away'
A man who witnessed one of the assaults said he saw the attacker stab a woman "several times" in the neck.

Bar owner Savvas Sfrantziz told Sky News: "She started screaming: 'He's stabbing me.' But everybody thought he was robbing her because she had a necklace.

"But I saw it and I started screaming."

Bar manager David Nash said he came within 10 metres of a hooded suspect near one of the scenes in Hurst Street.

He explained: "I was on the street around 2.20am and we heard somebody shout down the street 'stop him, he's just stabbed somebody'."

Mr Nash said the person was "calm" and walking unhurriedly, until someone shouted an alarm.

Police said the first call was to Constitution Hill, just after 12.30am on Sunday, where a man suffered a superficial injury.

Twenty minutes later they were called to Livery Street, where a 19-year-old man was critically injured and a woman was injured too.

At 1.50am they were called to Irving Street, where, in addition to the fatality, another man suffered serious injuries.

At 2am, officers were called to Hurst Street, where a 32-year-old woman was seriously injured and two men received lesser injuries.

Boris Johnson thanked the emergency services and said his thoughts were with anyone affected by the "terrible incident", while Home Secretary Priti Patel said emergency services were "working hard to find whoever is responsible and bring them to justice".

https://news.sky.com/story/birmingh...cks-leave-one-dead-and-seven-injured-12065466

 

[MenInG]

A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder over a series of stabbings in Birmingham that left one dead and several others injured, West Midlands Police has said.

The suspect was detained at a property in the Selly Oak area of the city at around 4am on Monday, the force said in a statement.

He is being questioned in police custody after officers worked "into the early hours" to trace him.

Birmingham police commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Graham, said: "Officers worked through yesterday and into the early hours of this morning in a bid to trace the man we believe responsible for these terrible crimes.

"We issued CCTV footage of the suspect and had a strong response from the public. I'd like to thank everyone who shared our appeal and who provided information to the investigation.

"One line of enquiry ultimately led us to an address in the Selly Oak area this morning where a man was arrested.

"Clearly this is a crucial development but our investigation continues."

The suspect was arrested on one count of murder and seven of attempted murder, a force spokesman added.

https://news.sky.com/story/birmingh...icion-of-murder-and-attempted-murder-12065674

 

[Technics 1210]

So let me get this straight. The suspect is a black individual, who killed a white man.

Where are the riots?

 

[El Generico]

So let me get this straight. The suspect is a black individual, who killed a white man.

Where are the riots?

Considering the killer has been arrested and charged, what would the riots be about lol?

 

[Lurker_Ind]

Considering the killer has been arrested and charged, what would the riots be about lol?

White lives matter!

 

[El Generico]

White lives matter!

Have there been BLM protest every time a White person kills a Black person? Agree with them or not, the protest normally happen when the accused are not charged/arrested despite evidence. Like the Ahmaud Arbery case.

 

[Technics 1210]

Considering the killer has been arrested and charged, what would the riots be about lol?

Considering the police officers were also charged for murdering Floyd, remind we what the riots were for again? LOL!

 

[El Generico]

Considering the police officers were also charged for murdering Floyd, remind we what the riots were for again? LOL!

No difference in standards between police officer and criminals? Beside the officers were arrested after the protest.

 

[MenInG]

A man has been charged with the murder of Jacob Billington - one of eight people stabbed in Birmingham in the early hours of Sunday.

Zephaniah McLeod, 27, of Nately Grove, Selly Oak, Birmingham, is also accused of the attempted murder of the seven other victims.

Police have so far not released an image of McLeod but Sky News has tracked down one of the first pictures - showing the accused man against a red background.

Mr Billington, 23, was on a night out with school friends from Liverpool, visiting one of their group studying in Birmingham, when he was stabbed in the neck.

Three people are still in hospital after the city centre attack, including Mr Billington's friend, Michael Callaghan, who is in a critical condition.

A 22-year-old woman, attacked in Hurst Street, is critical but stable, and a man aged 30 is in a serious condition.

The other four victims have been discharged.

Three people arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender were released earlier on Tuesday pending investigation.

McLeod will appear before Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning.

Mr Billington's family said in a statement on Monday that he was "a funny, caring and wonderful person who was loved by every single person he met".

More tributes were paid today by the the university he worked and studied at.

A spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam University said: "Jacob was a Sheffield Hallam graduate and had joined the library as a graduate intern, where his warmth and enthusiasm made him a greatly valued member of our team.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.

"We are providing support to those in our community who have been affected by this tragic incident."

Mr Billington and Mr Callaghan had both attended the Sacred Heart Catholic College in Crosby, which held prayers for them on Monday evening.

The school said in a statement: "We are saddened at the events in Birmingham which took Jacob's life and left Michael critically injured."

"We are praying for Michael's recovery and will never forget Jacob, his life touched so many in our school."

Also paying tribute was Mr Billington's local MP for Sefton Central in Merseyside, Bill Esterton, who said that his friends had acted "heroically" in a bid to save his life.

https://news.sky.com/story/birmingh...rged-with-murder-of-jacob-billington-12066943