LAST UPDATE | 31 mins ago

A MAN IN his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an “appalling act of extreme violence” in Belfast last night.

PSNI officers attended to the incident at Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast at around 10.30pm.

A PSNI spokesperson said that the man who has been arrested is “believed to be Somalian” and confirmed that the serious assault involved a knife.

He remains in police custody.

The injured man, aged in his 40s, is in hospital where his condition is described as serious.

The attack has left him with significant injuries to his face, neck and back.

British prime minister Keir Starmer has said that the “horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening”.

Starmer added that he has “absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets”.

He said his thoughts are “first and foremost with the victim” and he thanked the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.

‘Critical incident’

PSNI assistant chief constable Ryan Henderson described it as a “deeply concerning assault” and has declared it a “critical incident”.

“This brutal attack will have sent shockwaves through the community causing real concern,” said Henderson.

He said the attack will be treated with “the utmost seriousness” and that the investigation is “continuing at pace”.

He added that PSNI officers were on the scene “within minutes” and commended members of the public “who strived to save the man from further attack”.

“Their willingness to step forward to help another person shows incredible bravery and community spirit,” said Henderson.

He added that the PSNI is aware of footage circulating online and “strongly” urged the public not to share or repost these images.

“Doing so risks causing further trauma to the injured man’s loved ones and may impact the ongoing investigation..

Henderson said further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.

‘Sickening situation’

Footage seen by The Journal shows a man on top of another man with a knife to his throat.

Another member of the public later intervenes with a hurley stick in an attempt to stop the attack.

Northen Ireland’s justice minister and Alliance leader Naomi Long asked that people “not to share the very graphic images and footage of the attack”.

She also commended the “brave people who disarmed the attacker and the PSNI who attended and will now investigate”.

First minister and Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O’Neill also commended the “bravery of members of the local community who put their own safety at risk in an effort to stop this vicious attack”.

She also urged the public to “give the PSNI the space it needs to carry out a full investigation so that justice can be done”.

Deputy first minister and DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly meanwhile said she has spoken with the PSNI Chief Constable and called for a “full and open communication with the public on this deeply worrying and sickening situation”.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson also called for the PSNI to “outline the facts as a matter of urgency”.

‘Widespread shock’

Local SDLP councillor Carl Whyte said there is “widespread shock in the area” following the incident.

He described it as an “appalling act of extreme violence” and added that the “victim of this attack has endured a terrifying ordeal”.

Whyte also remarked that the “bravery of those who intervened saw the attacker stopped and arrested by the police and they must be commended for their actions”.

He, too, referenced video footage of the incident and acknowledged that this may cause people to “feel fear, anger and shock”.

He urged anyone who may be sent this footage to refrain from viewing it or sharing it further “for the sake of the victim and his family”.

He also asked that people “not to engage with far-right elements who will use this incident in an attempt to sow division”.

“It’s important that people remain calm and allow justice to take its course,” said Whyte.

Former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood added that the “horrific” incident “should not be used by English, right wing politicians to further their own ends”.

“I don’t ever remember them commenting on any of the other hellish things that community has experienced over the years,” Eastwood added.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe have both commented on the incident on social media.

Sinn Féin MLA for north Belfast John Finucane said he was “shocked” following the attack and urged anyone with information on the incident to contact police.

Meanwhile, DUP MP Carla Lockhart said that the incident will be raised in Westminster later today.

She, too, urged the public not to share footage of the incident.

Anyone who witnessed this incident, or who may have captured dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area which could help with the investigation, is asked make contact with the PSNI.

-With additional reporting from Jane Moore