- Police were called to Leeds city centre this lunchtime to reports of a stabbing
- A 25-year-old man was found with serious injuries and was taken to hospital
- Officers are hunting two suspects after cordoning off an area of the city
Police have closed off a busy shopping street in Leeds city centre as they hunt two suspects thought to have stabbed a man.
A 25-year-old man was found with serous injuries before a police cordon was put in place after emergency services were called around 1.20pm.
The man was taken to hospital for emergency treatment. Police are looking for two suspects described as young black males. The incident is not being treated as terrorism-related.
A man has been rushed to hospital after he was apparently stabbed in Leeds city centre
One eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said the victim appeared to be running away from the two males.
He said: ‘He told me he had started a fight with two other lads and they pulled a knife on him. He tried to run but they stabbed him twice, one in the back and one in the forearm.
‘The two men ran away and he collapsed outside the Vodafone store. We helped him but within less than two minutes the police response arrived and took over.’
Detective Inspector Fiona Gaffney, of Leeds District CID, said: ‘This is clearly a very serious incident where the victim has been stabbed in the street.
‘We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw the suspects in the area or leaving the scene. They have been described as two young black males.
‘Two scenes around the junction of Briggate and The Headrow have been cordoned off and will be undergoing forensic examination. We will be doing everything we can to minimise disruption to the public and we hope people will bear with us while we carry out the necessary investigative work.
Police cordoned off Briggate in the city centre following this incident this lunchtime
DI Gaffney added: ‘The investigation is still in the very early stages and we are still trying to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident and the motive behind it.
‘Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be ensuring a high-visibility presence in the area to reassure people.’
The man’s injuries are described as not life threatening.
Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting log number 801 of September 11 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.