Three men sustained knife injuries following a violent altercation at Blyth bus station in Northumberland during the early hours of Saturday.
Northumbria Police arrived on the scene shortly after 12:50 am GMT, where they discovered three individuals with non-life-threatening stab wounds.
Two of the injured men were treated and later discharged from the hospital, while one remains under observation.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the assault and is in police custody. Police cordons have been set up across various locations in Blyth, including the bus station, as detectives work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any additional individuals who may have been involved.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service received an alert at 1:03 am GMT and deployed a critical care team to assist the North East Ambulance Service in treating the injured men on-site before they were transported to the hospital.
Knife crime has become an increasing concern across the UK, with Northumberland and other areas in North East England witnessing a rise in violent incidents involving bladed weapons.
According to recent police data, the number of reported knife-related offences in Northumberland has seen a gradual uptick in recent years, prompting heightened awareness and calls for action from community groups and local authorities.
The UK government has introduced measures, such as increased stop-and-search powers and community intervention programs, aimed at reducing knife crime across the country.
Northumbria Police has also focused on preventative campaigns and patrols in known hotspots to address the issue at a local level. Despite these efforts, sporadic incidents, like the Blyth bus station altercation, highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing knife-related violence.
Blyth bus station serves as a key transportation hub for the town, connecting residents to surrounding areas and providing vital links for commuters.
Following the incident, bus operator Arriva North East temporarily closed the station, rerouting services to alternative stops at Union Street, Regent Street, and the Oddfellow Arms bus stop to ensure minimal disruption to passengers while the investigation is ongoing.
Northumbria Police are urging any witnesses or individuals with information about the incident to come forward, as they work to piece together what led to the violent exchange.
Local authorities and community organisations continue to emphasise the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious behaviour to ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike.
