A murder investigation has been launched after one person died following a series of stabbings in Birmingham. One man died and seven people were injured in the stabbings overnight, West Midlands Police said, adding that a manhunt was ongoing for one male suspect and that there was no suggestion that it was a hate crime or gang-related.

The force added that a man and a woman suffered serious injuries, while the five others have ‘relatively minor’ injuries that not life-threatening. It said four incidents took place between 12:30am and around 2.30am and are linked, with officers ‘continuing to hold a number of scenes across the city, including Livery Street, Irving Street and Hurst Street’, with a search ongoing for one suspect.

Earlier, a major incident was declared after multiple stabbings were reported in the city centre.

Chief Superintendent Steve Graham, responsible for policing in Birmingham, told a press conference that ‘significant efforts’ were ongoing to trace the suspect with ‘extensive CCTV footage’ being trawled through.

He said there was ‘absolutely no suggestion of gunshots being fired’ and that attacks appeared to be ‘random’, adding: ‘The events during the early hours of this morning are tragic, shocking and understandably frightening. ‘Please be assured that we are doing absolutely everything we can to find whoever was responsible and try to understand what exactly happened.’

No arrests have yet been made.

Mr Graham went on: ‘We have well-rehearsed plans for dealing with major incidents. Your safety is always our priority and that’s why you’ll see an increase in officers on the streets.

‘In the meantime, we’d ask anyone who’s in the city to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to us.’

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, added: ‘Last night’s events are truly terrible and have shocked the people of Birmingham, the West Midlands and the country.

‘My first thoughts are with the victims and their families at this time. ‘I have every faith in West Midlands Police who are working extremely quickly on this investigation.

‘My thanks also go to the ambulance and hospital staff who are working around the clock to help those who have been injured.’