Armed police race to red light district after man is injured and ‘three women covered in blood’

Armed police have locked down a street in Leeds’ red light district today amid reports of a man having his throat slashed after a fight where three women were left ‘covered in blood’.

A cordon is in place on Pleasant Terrace in the Holbeck of the city – the first part of the country where sex workers can work in the street without fear of arrest.  

Witness Zoltanj Esze said two women were taken away by police minutes after a man was left lying in the road at just after 11.30am today.

He told Leeds Live: ‘There was fighting outside. There was like three or four girls and two, three guys.

Mr Esze said the victim told him: ‘Go inside the house with your family and close the door because there’s a big problem.’

The witness said: ‘I’ve not seen anything like it before, it was unbelievable. My two kids, who are five and six, were shocked and crying. 

A man who lives on a nearby street said: ‘There were loads of police sirens going off and I figured something had happened.

‘I saw three prostitutes out on the street covered in blood and a whole load of commotion.

‘I saw one of the women staggering out of a house and going into an ambulance.’

Officers and ambulances attended the scene found a male with serious injuries. He has since been taken to hospital

‘I then saw the guy lying on the floor bleeding and then the police came.’  

Police say there have not been any arrests. 

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: ‘Police were called to reports of a disturbance on Pleasant Terrace at 11.37am this morning. 

A cordon is in place on Pleasant Terrace in the Holbeck of Leeds (pictured) 

‘Officers and ambulance service attended and found a male with serious injuries. He has been taken to hospital.

‘The road has been closed while enquiries are ongoing’. 

Forensics from West Yorkshire Police arrived at the scene just after 2pm. 

There have also been reports of a ‘pool of blood’ near a pram at the scene.

Anyone with information is urged to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101.