Leicester stabbing Live: Horror as armed police swarm city centre in major incident

Dozens of police officers swarmed a residential street near Leicester city centre on Wednesday evening, amid reports of a knife-related incident.Leicestershire Police have yet to comment on the incident, which saw Alexander Street and many of the surrounding roads cordoned off by 8pm on Wednesday, October 15. A large police presence and reduced cordon have remained in place overnight.Two international students living in a nearby accommodation block said that someone had been stabbed with "a very long knife," and added: "The area is very peaceful and all about love, this is the first time that this has happened. We are so scared."A statement is expected this morning.

A cordon remains on Alexander Street in Leicester city centre overnight, following Wednesday night's reported stabbing.

Two international students living in The Arches accommodation block said that someone had been stabbed in the neck, adding: "The area is very peaceful and all about love, this is the first time that this has happened.

"We are so scared."

People living in a residential area just a stone's throw from Leicester city centre have described their shock after an apparent stabbing that took place around Alexander Street on Wednesday evening.

Leicestershire Police have yet to issue a statement while they carry out a major investigation in the area overnight.

Police officers have reduced the size of the extensive cordon affecting Alexander Street and some of the surrounding roads in Leicester city centre.

As well as the removal of a section of cordon from nearby Jarvis Street, most of the roads have reopened for vehicles. The exception to this is Alexander Street, where a full cordon remains in place around the building with a smashed-in ground floor door.

Police tape also remains in place on several pavements and footpaths in the area as Leicestershire Police continues its investigation.

Further police resources have been deployed to the extensive cordon in Leicester city centre, with more than a dozen squad cars parked on the road next to a major block of student accommodation.

While the incident that unfolded in the city centre remains unclear, pictures from the scene appear to show some damage visible inside the cordon.

A glass door, just behind the cordon on Alexander Street, has been completely smashed in.

A major investigation is taking place in Leicester city centre after a reported stabbing earlier this evening.

Police canine units were seen in the area, alongside officers searching the road and nearby bushes with torches.

The earlier horrifying incident took place just a stone's throw from The Arches, a block of student housing on nearby All Saints Road, where another police cordon has been set up.

Some of the terrified students have spoken out about their shock and horror at the events that unfolded, which they believe to have been a brutal stabbing, although Leicestershire Police have yet to confirm the exact nature of the incident.

Two international students, who gave their names as Wang and Klein, told reporter Dylan Hayward: "The area is very peaceful and all about love, this is the first time that this has happened. We are so scared." They added: "Our roommates told us that somebody was stabbed in the neck with a very long knife."