Christmas shoppers fled in terror after teenagers were stabbed in a terrifying machete attack at a packed shopping centre.
Armed police are at the Bullring in Birmingham where two lads have suffered horrendous injuries after the attack next to the Open Market, which would have been packed with Christmas shoppers this afternoon.
A witness described "a lot of screaming" and shoppers fleeing "in fear" in the attack which police said took place at 3.34pm today.
A patrol officer who was first on scene described "a lot of blood" and one of the victims "in shock - it seemed as if he had no idea why he had been attacked."
Police and ambulance crews said the teens suffered "serious injuries". They have been taken to hospital.
A police tent has been erected at the scene and a New Look clothes store nearby has been closed while officers speak to staff, reports Birmingham Live.
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West Midlands Police said trouble broke out near the back entrance of Selfridges just after 3.30pm.
Witness Ash Pear, 27, said a machete was involved in the horrific incident which unfolded as thousands of shoppers bought their Christmas presents.
He said: "A group of teenagers, one with a machete, came over from the side of Selfridges.
"They were stood outside, then ran inside the Bullring and stabbed one teenager.
"There was a lot of screaming from the one who was injured.
"Shoppers were vacating the Bullring in fear.
"Police attended 15 minutes later. It happened just before 3.30pm.
"It's normal to me - I grew up in Birmingham."
No arrests have been made so far.
A police spokesman said: "Officers were called to reports of a disorder in the Bullring. We were called just after 3:30pm to reports of people being injured near the rear entrance of Selfridges.
"Two people are being treated for injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening.
"There is an increased police presence within the Bullring, including armed officers, while we try and establish what has happened and find those involved.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact us via Live Chat or call 101."
Reporter Kamal Sultan, who is at the Bullring, says a New Look clothes store has been closed.
He said staff were inside, along with police officers.
Police have erected a screen inside the Bullring by the mall’s Nando’s restaurant, next to Burger King.
A jacket, scarf and bottle of water can be seen at the scene and are being guarded by two police officers.
New Look has put a sign up on its front door telling customers it is closed due to an ‘incident’.
West Midlands Ambulance said: "We were called at 3:34pm to the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham to reports of a stabbing.
"We sent our HART team, two ambulances and three paramedic officers to the scene.
"On arrival, crews found two patients, both teenage males.
"They’ve been treated for serious injuries and taken to hospital for further treatment.”
Patrol Officer for the retail business improvement district (Retail BID) Bryan Edwards was the first on scene to help one of the victims - an 18-year-old.
He arrived within five minutes of the emergency call along with four police officers.
Bryan said paramedics arrived around five minutes later. He said: "All the emergency services were really quick to get there.
"I think the incident began near Nando’s and the man I saw had made his way into the lower level of New Look.
"He was a black male, about 5ft 11in and of medium build and wearing a tracksuit and coat which had been cut off to get to the wounds on his arm.
"He looked just like any other regular guy who might have been out shopping but was in shock - it seemed as if he had no idea why he had been attacked.
"There was quite a lot of blood, but I don’t think his injuries were life-threatening.”
All Retail BID staff are equipped with bleed control kits and Bryan immediately applied a belt and dressing to the patient.
A spokesperson for Bullring & Grand Central, said: "We can confirm an incident occurred at Bullring earlier today. This is now a matter for the authorities and we are supporting them with their enquiries.”
Twitter user Joanne Maya Sippitts said there had been a fight at the KFC in the Bullring the previous day and she saw one lad "with a weapon".
She tweeted: "Stabbing in the bullring! I hope they have all those lads from yesterday I saw one with a weapon. Why is it deemed acceptable to do this in an area where there’s children or even at all!!!!! Something needs to be done! Please stop this."
This was after she tweeted at 10.44pm yesterday that she hoped "no one was hurt tonight from the fight that kicked off by kfc." [sic.]
More to follow.
