In a series of connected and devastating incidents in Nottingham, three individuals have lost their lives, while another three have sustained injuries. The police discovered two individuals who appeared to have been stabbed and deceased on Ilkeston Road shortly after 04:00 BST. Following this, authorities responded to a report of a van intentionally targeting three pedestrians on Milton Street.

After apprehending a man on suspicion of murder, the police subsequently found another deceased individual on Magdala Road. The 31-year-old suspect is currently in custody, and several police cordons have been established in the city center. Additional investigations led armed officers to conduct a raid on a property located on Ilkeston Road around 13:00.

Nottinghamshire Police has confirmed that the three individuals injured in the van attack on Milton Street are receiving treatment at a hospital. Chief Constable Kate Meynell has stated that the force believes all three incidents are interconnected. She described the situation as “horrific and tragic,” emphasising that the investigation is in its early stages and that a team of detectives is diligently working to establish a comprehensive understanding of the events. Chief Constable Meynell also urged the public to remain patient during the ongoing inquiries.

An eyewitness who wished to remain anonymous recounted his experience to the BBC. According to him, he witnessed a young man and woman being stabbed near the junction of Ilkeston Road and Bright Street at approximately 04:00. He described hearing distressing screams and seeing a hooded individual dressed in black with a backpack engaging in a violent altercation with the victims. The eyewitness expressed regret for not having shouted something from his window to unsettle the assailant. He provided a detailed account of the repeated stabbings, the collapse of the male victim, and the disappearance of the female victim behind a nearby house, where she was eventually found.

Another witness, Carl Cassidy, shared his account of observing two individuals being struck by a white van as he dropped off his wife at work. Cassidy’s car narrowly avoided being hit, as the van veered and mounted the pavement. He immediately rushed to assist the victims and described their conditions, mentioning that the woman appeared shaken but relatively unharmed, while the man was in a more critical state. The police pursued the van but stopped to attend to the injured parties. Shortly after the van drove away, additional police vehicles arrived at the scene.

Nic Chuter, a resident of Mapperley Road near the junction of Woodborough Road, provided his perspective on the situation. Chuter was greeted by armed police officers as he left his house. He recounted encountering an officer with a large gun who questioned him about his activities. Chuter mentioned that the car was considered part of the crime scene and was thus inaccessible. He expressed gratitude for the efforts of law enforcement but noted the restrictions imposed within the cordoned area.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed gratitude towards the emergency services and confirmed that he is receiving updates on the incident. He conveyed his condolences to the injured individuals and the families of those who lost their lives. Home Secretary Suella Braverman conveyed shock and sadness regarding the deaths, mentioning her communication with Nottinghamshire Police’s chief constable and her receipt of regular updates.

Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, extended his sympathies to all those affected and commended the emergency services for their swift response. BBC Verify has confirmed that an arrest took place on Bentinck Road, where a damaged white Vauxhall Vivaro van and a cordon were visible. However, it remains uncertain whether this is the same van involved in the incident.

Nottingham’s three Labour MPs, Lilian Greenwood, Nadia Whittome, and Alex Norris, issued a statement expressing their deep distress at the news and offering thoughts and prayers to all those affected. They also conveyed gratitude to the emergency responders for their efforts. Nottingham City Council leader David Mellen described the city as predominantly peaceful and tolerant, making the occurrence of such violent acts incomprehensible. He expressed appreciation for the swift arrest made by the police and acknowledged the crucial role played by the emergency services in keeping the community safe.