Police have issued a CCTV image in the hunt for a 'laughing knifeman' who stabbed a 10-year-old boy in the neck in a random attack outside the family home.

The schoolboy screamed 'help me, I've been stabbed' and slumped to the ground as his mother desperately tried to stop him from bleeding.

His attacker, described as a 'chubby Asian man', fled after the horrific attack in Belper Street, Leicester on Saturday evening.

Police launched a manhunt after the boy was rushed to hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

Leicestershire Police released this CCTV image of a man as part of the investigation after a 10-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck

A ten-year-old boy was stabbed on Belper Street, Leicester, in front of his mother as police launch manhunt for knife man. Pictured: Police at the scene

Detectives are also linking the attack to two other incidents in which a woman and elderly man were knifed in the same city.

A woman in her 30s was stabbed in the back of the head when she was with her children on Doncaster Road, on Tuesday 14 January, at around 7.15pm.

She suffered a cut to the back of the head and was later released from hospital.

Two days later, a man, in his 70s, was found in nearby Dean Road, with wounds to his head and hands.

His mother told The Sun: 'I was pressing my hand on the hole of his neck to stop all the blood, he was losing so much and I thought he was going to die. I was terrified.

'I thought I would lose him and all my clothes and his were wet with his blood.

'The attacker was a stranger, my son didn't know him, and he had half his face and head covered with a hoodie. After stabbing my son he starting laughing. My son said he looked like a psycho.'

Police said the youngster, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, was in Belper Street on Saturday at about 5.20pm when a chubby Asian man stabbed him and fled.

A member of the public called the emergency services and the boy was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. His mother was not injured.

Leicestershire Police said they are looking for a light-skinned Asian man, in his mid-20s, around 5ft 10ins tall, chubby build, who was wearing a brown coloured jacket in connection with the stabbing.

Detective Inspector Tim Lindley said: 'This was an act of violence against a young child who was out, in the street, with his mother.

The youngster was walking down the street at 5.20pm yesterday with his mother when he was approached by a man who stabbed him before fleeing the scene. Pictured: Belper Street

'It happened in a residential area at a time of day when there would have been people about, either on foot or driving through. We need to find who was responsible for injuring this boy.

'If you were in the area of Belper Street between the times of 4.30pm and 6.30pm and saw what happened or a man matching this description we want to hear from you. Equally, if you have any dashcam footage or CCTV of the area please get in touch.'

Leicestershire Police are still hunting for the suspect and continued to make door-to-door inquiries today. A cordon in place yesterday evening has since been lifted.

Detective Inspector Lindley added: 'These are serious incidents and we have a team of dedicated officers and staff carrying out full enquiries to establish the full circumstances.

'In light of these incidents, I would ask that people do remain aware and vigilant and report anything which causes them concern to the police.

'If you do recognise the man pictured, please do not approach him but please contact 999 immediately.'

He added: 'Please look after yourselves and those around you and please take steps to keep yourselves safe when you are out and about.

'And please be assured that we do have officers in the area offering reassurance to residents and speaking to people regarding any concerns.

Please do speak to these officers if you are in the area.'

'We are linking the three incidents and are appealing to anyone with any information to make contact with us.

'Did you witness any of the incidents or events following them?

'Have you seen anyone in the area similar to the man pictured? Do you have any other CCTV or dashcam footage from the area during the past week which could contain vital information?

'If you have any details which you believe could help us, I urge you to make contact immediately with us.'

Detectives are asking anyone who may have information to call 101 quoting incident 437 of 18 January.

A member of the public called emergency services and the child was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where his condition is described as non-life-threatening. Pictured: Belper Street