Urgent Appeal To Trace Unidentified Victim Of Leeds City Centre Stabbing

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Detectives investigating a potentially serious stabbing in Leeds city centre earlier today are urgently appealing for information to help trace the unknown victim.

At 2.28am this morning, police were contacted by the ambulance service who had been called to the incident near to the junction of St Paul's Street and King Street.

An ambulance had been called after a man approached a member of the public in the street and showed them apparent stab wounds to his torso and head which appeared to be serious. He left the scene prior to the ambulance arriving.

He was described as white, about 5ft 7ins, small, with a slim face, brown hair and a stubble beard. He was described as wearing dark coloured bottoms, possibly three-quarter length, and a white t-shirt which was heavily bloodstained.

Officers flooded the area to search for the injured man, supported by a National Police Air Service helicopter, but were unable to locate him.

Detectives from Leeds District CID are continuing to carry out enquiries into the incident and officers from the City Neighbourhood Policing Team are supporting the ongoing search for the victim.

A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent in relation to the incident and is currently in custody.

Scenes are currently in place in the area, including in St Paul's Street and Russell Street.

Detective Inspector Dan Ridgway, of Leeds District CID, said: "Based on the information we currently have, we have a potentially seriously injured victim who has not yet been found and may be in urgent need of medical attention.

"We are obviously very concerned for this man's welfare and urgently need to find him. We are carrying out extensive enquiries to trace his movements and would like to hear from anyone who has seen him or who has any information that could assist us.

"We believe he was injured during an altercation in St Paul's Street near the junction with Park Cross Street, and that the victim and other parties involved may be from the city's rough sleeper community."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information that could assist in tracing the victim is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting log 108 of April 9 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat