Protests to be held in Wolverhampton and Birmingham as Sudanese man arrested after 'attempted beheading' in Belfast

Mass protests have been organised for this evening in major UK cities after a Sudanese man has been arrested following an “attempted beheading” in Belfast.

The man, in his 30s, remains in custody after the incident in north Belfast at about 10:30pm last night (Monday 8 June).

A video circulating online shows a number of people, including one wielding a hurling stick, confronting the apparent attacker until the police arrived.

A man injured in the attack, aged in his 40s, sustained significant injuries to his face, neck and back.

The victim is in hospital where his condition is described as serious.

An initial statement from the PSNI on Tuesday morning said police believed the attacker was Somali, but have since confirmed he is Sudanese, describing it as a "fast-time investigation".

A spokesperson said police are "aware of inaccurate online posts regarding the victim's condition", but confirmed he remains in a serious condition.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the incident "sickening", adding that he will have "absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets".

Protests in more than 70 cities are now planned across the UK tonight.

In the West Midlands, protests are planned to take place in Wolverhampton at St Peter’s Square, in Birmingham at Victoria Square and in Coventry at Broadgate.

All of the protests in major cities will be starting at 7pm.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said "a critical incident" has been declared and police have begun an investigation to establish a motive.

Henderson added: "This brutal attack will have sent shockwaves through the community causing real concern.

"I want to reassure the local community that we are treating this attack with the utmost seriousness.

"Our investigation is continuing at pace."