Three stabbed as armed police attend machete call

Police said a group of men with machetes were seen entering a building in Alexander Street

Three men were taken to hospital with stab wounds after armed police were called to reports of a group of men carrying machetes in Leicester city centre.

Leicestershire Police said officers and a police dog responded after the group were seen entering a building in Alexander Street at 19:19 BST on Wednesday.

The force said the suspects were later seen running from the building and made off on foot, adding no arrests had been made.

One victim sustained serious injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening and two others suffered minor injuries, officers said.

A number of streets in the area were shut during a police search, but have since reopened. A cordon remains in place at two addresses.

Police said a cordon remained in place at two addresses

Det Sgt Vicki Hudson, from the force's complex investigation team, said: "This was a fast-moving incident which many officers responded to last night in order to locate any other further victims as well as identify the suspects.

"This included the deployment of our police dog and drone.

"Our investigation into this incident has continued overnight and is very much ongoing this morning with our inquiries focusing on piecing together what happened."

She said she appreciated what happened "may cause concern".

"At this stage, we believe it to be a targeted attack by people known to each other in response to an aggravated burglary which is reported to have happened two weeks ago," Det Sgt Hudson added.

She said officers would be on patrol in the area over the coming days to provide reassurance and discuss any concerns from the public.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.