A ‘Somali’ man has been arrested after an attempted ‘beheading’ in Belfast last night.

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were called to Kinnaird Avenue in the north of the city at around 10.30pm on Monday.

A man in his 40s was rushed to hospital with serious injuries to his face, neck and back.

A second man in his 30s, who police say is believed to be Somali, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Police have declared the attack a ‘critical incident’ and are urgently investigating.

Hero bystanders were seen attempting to intervene and wrestle the suspected attacker to the ground in footage circulating on social media.

The video appears to show a man stabbing a second man, lying on the ground, to the head and neck area, as bystanders shout at him to stop. One man can be heard saying: ‘He’s trying to cut his head off’.

Several men then approach the attacker and try to intervene, by striking and wrestling him to the ground for several seconds before the first officers arrived at the scene.

The injured man was taken to hospital and is said to be in a ‘critical’ condition. A second man was arrested.

Officers are expected to remain in the area as enquiries continue.

Sir Keir Starmer described the attack as ‘sickening’ and said he will have ‘absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets’.

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A man has been arrested and the victim rushed to hospital, where he is said to be in a critical condition

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Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were called to Kinnaird Avenue (pictured) in the north of the city at around 10.30pm on Monday – with hero bystanders attempting to intervene before their arrival

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Officers from the PSNI remained at the scene of the stabbing today, with a cordon in place

He said: ‘The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening. I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.

‘My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.’

There has been widespread shock and condemnation of the incident and local residents have been praised after several intervened in an effort to stop the attack before police arrived at the scene.

First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill said the attack was ‘harrowing’ and ‘vicious’.

‘Last night’s attack in North Belfast was harrowing. My thoughts are with the injured man and all those who responded at the scene.

‘I also want to recognise the bravery of members of the local community who put their own safety at risk in an effort to stop this vicious attack.’

DUP councillor Jordan Doran said he was ‘left shocked and deeply concerned’ by footage circulating online.

‘Many residents have contacted me expressing concerns about community safety and seeking reassurance following this incident,’ he said.

‘Those concerns are entirely understandable. People deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities, regardless of where they live.’

His part leader Gavin Robinson said the incident was ‘barbaric’ and ‘medieval’.

‘What I have seen, on social media over the last 12 hours is something you cannot unsee,’ he told BBC Radio Ulster. ‘It was medieval. It was the systematic mutilation of a human being on the streets of Belfast’.

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Police officers are expected to remain at the scene throughout the day as investigations continue

Independent councillor Paul McCusker said the ‘horrific’ attack had been witnessed by ‘brave’ residents, who attempted to stop the alleged knifeman, adding: ‘I’ve never seen an attack like this happen on the streets of north Belfast.’

He continued: ‘I have spoken to the police and the male who carried out the attack has been arrested and the victim is critical in hospital. I really hope he survives this attack and his family are getting support.

‘The bravery of those residents was commendable.’

And Carla Lockhart, MP for Upper Bann in Northern Ireland, said the incident will be raised in Parliament today.

She added: ‘My thoughts and prayers are very much with the victim of this attack and their family. Please don’t reshare the footage online. That is someone’s child being attacked.’

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it received a 999 call at 10.39pm and dispatched an emergency ambulance and an advanced paramedic.

Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, the victim was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: ‘This is a deeply concerning assault and I have declared this a critical incident. We have commenced an investigation to establish a motive.

‘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. Community safety is our priority and we are currently engaging with local representatives and residents to provide reassurance and support.

‘Our officers were on the scene within minutes and we wish to acknowledge the members of the public who strived to save the man from further attack. Their willingness to step forward to help another person shows incredible bravery and community spirit.

‘We are also aware of footage circulating online and we would strongly urge members of the public not to share or repost these images.

‘Doing so risks causing further trauma to the injured man’s loved ones and may impact the ongoing investigation. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family at this deeply distressing time.

‘As our investigation continues we will provide further updates.’

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam or CCTV footage has been urged to contact police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference number 1654 08/06/26.

SOURCE: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15884987/Man-suffers-injuries-stabbed-Belfast-suspect-arrested.html