A man in his 40s is fighting for his life in hospital after a knife attack in north Belfast that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called “sickening” — and which police say was stopped by members of the public who struck the assailant with a hurling stick.
Emergency services were called to Kinnaird Avenue at about 22:30 BST on Monday. The victim sustained significant injuries to his face, neck and back, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He remains in a serious condition.
“Man, 40s, critically injured in Belfast knife attack; suspect held for attempted murder.”
A man in his 30s believed to be Sudanese was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody. Police initially said they believed the attacker was Somali but later corrected that, describing it as a “fast-time investigation”.
Video circulating online — described by the DUP leader Gavin Robinson as “medieval, barbaric and systematic mutilation” — shows the attacker pinning the man to the ground and striking at his head while bystanders intervene. One resident can be heard saying: “He’s trying to cut his head off.” A man with a hurling stick helped stop the assault.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson declared a critical incident and said police were investigating the motive. “This brutal attack will have sent shockwaves through the community causing real concern,” he said. “Our investigation is continuing at pace.” He praised the “bravery and community spirit” of those who intervened.
Starmer said: “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.”
Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn also thanked those who showed “extraordinary bravery” and called for calm while police did their job.
Stormont justice minister Naomi Long urged people not to share the graphic footage, calling it “deeply disturbing and traumatising to view”. Independent councillor Paul McCusker said one resident had to go to hospital herself because of the stress of witnessing the attack.
Police have appealed to the public to refrain from sharing the video, warning it could cause further trauma to the victim’s family and impact the investigation. Officers are expected to remain in the area.