Belfast stabbing latest: Starmer calls for calm as bystanders who tackled alleged knife attacker hailed ‘heroes’
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a stabbing attack in Belfast that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described as “appalling” and “disgusting”.
Police said the man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the “brutal” attack on Monday night, which left the alleged victim with serious injuries to her face, neck and back.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland initiated a “critical incident”.
Video of the attack shows a man stabbing the victim in the head and neck while he was on the ground.
Several people, including a stick-throwing man, intervened to stop the attack in a residential area off the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast.
Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn thanked bystanders who intervened to remove the attacker.
DUP MP Jim Shannon told the House of Commons that protests were planned in Northern Ireland following the attack.
“Tensions are rising and I am aware of protests currently planned in my constituency of Strangford,” he said.
He said people planned to attend because they felt their “fears were being ignored.”
‘An extraordinary thing’: Benn salutes public who intervened
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said of the knife attack: “Amidst the horror of what happened, we also saw something extraordinary.
“Encountered with horrific scenes of violence, the people did not move away.
“Instead, some stepped forward and, risking their own safety, intervened to remove the attacker and protect the victim until police arrived.
“I would like to say to these individuals, you have shown the best of humanity, and this entire House is deeply grateful to you.”
He also called for calm and the initiation of the criminal process.
Jane Dalton9 June 2026 14:06
Protests planned ‘ignoring fears’
Protests are planned across Northern Ireland following a stabbing attack in north Belfast, a DUP MP has told the House of Commons.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon said: “Tensions are rising and I am aware of protests currently planned in my constituency of Strangford.
“I am also aware that many of those who consider joining do so not only because they are afraid for their families, but because they feel their fears are being ignored when they make a good, grand statement.”
He pressed for “immediate change for security reasons.”
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said every citizen had the right to protest peacefully, but added “we have seen in the past those who have been provoked by others and tried to use this opportunity to incite violence and disorder.”
He continued: “If we want to support the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland), the last thing people need to do is spread their resources across Northern Ireland to deal with protests that will not help anyone and will not help advance this investigation so that the perpetrator can be brought to justice.”
Jane Dalton9 June 2026 13:58
Starmer: ‘I will not tolerate disgusting scenes like this’
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening.
“I have absolutely no tolerance for such disgusting scenes of violence on our streets.
“My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including the public, who responded.”
Jane Dalton9 June 2026 13:55
Suspect ‘in England on a five-year visa’
Police initially said they believed the suspect in custody was Somali, but later revealed he was Sudanese.
Police and the UK government have not yet confirmed the immigration status of the arrested man. But DUP leader and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson told the Commons the suspect was in the UK on a five-year visa.
Jane Dalton9 June 2026 13:52
