Three men stabbed in night of violence in Wolverhampton
Drains are being searched and Molineux subway was cordoned off as an investigation gathers pace.
Three men have been stabbed after a night of violence flared in Wolverhampton city centre.
West Midlands Police launched a major investigation after the triple stabbing took place in the early hours of Sunday.
Officers were called to North Street, near to Wolverhampton Civic Hall, where two men were found seriously injured on the floor, just after midnight.
They were taken to hospital with serious injuries, and on Sunday afternoon remained in a serious but stable condition.
A third man also suffered minor injuries.
No arrests had been made in connection with the stabbings, a West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed.
A large police cordon remained in place throughout the day, stretching from near the Wolverhampton Civic Hall off Mitre Fold and North Street, taking in Paternoster Row and the Molineux Subway under Ring Road St Peter’s.
Forensic and search officers were scouring the scene for evidence, searching bins and drains, while CCTV inquiries continued.
Residents in the city have spoken of their shock after more violence in Wolverhampton – which comes nearly two weeks after a teenager was left with life-changing injuries in a hammer attack in broad daylight outside the Wulfrun Shopping Centre.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It is getting bad now, I can’t believe things like this happen so regularly.
“Something needs to be done.”
Another added: “I saw the cordon and the forensics here this morning, but didn’t know what had happened. My thoughts are with those who were injured.”
Lin Barry said: “I’m proud to be from Wolverhampton and am very concerned about our city at the moment.”
Wolverhampton City Liberal Democrats party responded to the latest tragedy and called for new technology to be fast-tracked to help detect people carrying knives in crowded places such as bars, pubs, restaurants and public spaces.
Party campaigner Nick Machnik-Foster said: “Far too many lives are being taken by an epidemic of knife crime. I worry that the city centre could become a no-go zone for many, as people are put off.
“This latest tragedy needs to be a wake-up call.”
A spokesman from West Midlands Police said: “Police are investigating a triple stabbing in Wolverhampton city centre just after 12am on Sunday morning.
“Officers were called to North Street near to Wolverhampton Civic Hall where two injured men were found on the floor.
“They were taken to hospital with serious injuries, where they remain in a serious but stable condition. A third man also sustained minor injuries.
“CCTV and forensic inquiries continue to establish the circumstances around the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact us.”
It comes days after a huge knife crime summit was held in Birmingham on Friday in response to the increase in violent crime in the West Midlands.
The meeting, called by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Knife Crime, was called to discuss innovative approaches to tackling the problem.
It followed publication of the latest knife crime figures which showed a record 17 per cent leap in knife crime last year in the West Midlands compared to 2017, and an 85 per cent rise since 2012 – one of the biggest rises in the country.
Anyone with information about the stabbings should call West Midlands Police on 101, or via crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
