UK police have launched a manhunt after stabbings in Birmingham left one man dead and seven people injured – two critical – in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The knifings happened at four locations in the city centre. The first happened at around 00:20 local time (23:20 GMT) and the last was about two hours later.

Police believe that the attacks were carried out by a single individual.

"We are treating all four of those incidents as a linked series," West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent Steve Graham said.

"We are searching for one suspect and inquiries to identify and then trace that suspect are ongoing."

Police do not believe at this point that the attacks were directed at a section of the community or were gang related.

"At this stage we can't find a particular motive, but it does appear to be random in terms of the selection of people who were attacked," he said.

The UK's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he had no information to indicate it was the work of a terrorist but added that the public should be "very vigilant."

The first stabbing was in Constitution Hill and the suspect then moved south to Livery Street, Irving Street and finally Hurst Street. Police cordons are still in place, with more patrols taking place to reassure the public.

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "Last night's events are truly terrible and have left the city, the region and the country in shock.  

"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."

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