COUNTER-terror cops are investigating a double stabbing allegedly carried out by a migrant which left one man dead and another seriously injured.
The 44-year-old asylum seeker was arrested following the bloodbath at a hostel in Hartlepool, Co Durham, just before 6am this morning.
A 44-year-old asylum seeker was arrested following the bloodbath at a hostel in HartlepoolNNP
Paramedics and a doctor arrived in a fleet of ambulances to treat the woundedNNP
It is alleged that the Middle Eastern suspect stabbed another migrant at the accommodation centre before stabbing a member of the public on the street moments later.
Police raced to the scene and arrested the suspect on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Paramedics and a doctor arrived in a fleet of ambulances to treat the wounded.
The member of the public was subsequently pronounced dead and the other victim was in a serious but non-life threatening condition in hospital.
Local police confirmed they were working with counter-terror cops on the investigation.
The double stabbing is not being treated as a terrorist incident.
However, checks on the suspect are said to have flagged up “serious concerns” about his background and the Counter Terrorism Policing North East unit were immediately informed.
Cleveland Police said they were investigating the death of a man and the assault of another in the Tees Street area of Hartlepool.
A spokesman said: “A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in custody.
“Due to initial inquiries into the circumstances of the incident, Cleveland Police are working with Counter Terrorism Policing North East on the investigation.
“Counter Terrorism Policing has deployed its specialist capabilities to help establish what happened.
“It is not believed that there is any outstanding threat to the public and the local community connected to this incident.
“A cordon remains in place and a search is ongoing at a property in the area.
“The man who was assaulted was taken to hospital and remains there with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.”
A source said: “There are serious concerns about the suspect.”
It is unclear how long the suspect has been in the UK or how he arrived.
The shocking double stabbing will fuel further concerns about migrants landing in small boats on British shores without documentation.
Up to 30 cops swarmed the area after the alert was raised shortly before 6am.
A “large” knife was found on the ground close to where the victim fell.
A blue forensics tent was visible on the main thoroughfare through the town along with yellow evidence markers.
Multiple locations were sealed off and cops stood guard as forensic officers in white suits carried out searches.
A large-scale police presence remained in place as officers probed the attack.
The air ambulance service said it was alerted just before 6am.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service said it also sent medics in a rapid response vehicle.
A spokesperson said: “We had a doctor and paramedic team activated at 5.55am this morning.
“They responded to reports of an assault in Hartlepool.
“They arrived on the scene at 6.11am.”
The North East Ambulance Service added: “We were called to an incident on Raby Road in Hartlepool at 5:43am.
“We dispatched three ambulance crews and one doctor.”
Police cordons in place across several streets in Hartlepool tonightNNP
The force is working with Counter Terrorism Policing North EastNNP
Police raced to the scene and arrested the suspect on suspicion of murder and attempted murderNNP
The double stabbing is not being treated as a terrorist incidentNNP Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
