News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Carnage erupted across the UK last night as a spate of knife attacks left two men dead, a 14-year-old boy fighting for life and dozens of others injured.

Horrific images of the bloody aftermath showed forensic officers dispatched to five gruesome crime scenes across London, Birmingham, Manchester and Sheffield.

Footage from one city centre brawl captured a police van spattered with blood and a cop-guarded body bag behind a cordon.

In Birmingham, a schoolboy was stabbed repeatedly in the head and neck outside a mosque, while in Manchester and London, two young men were knifed to death.

Police forces up and down the country have launched a series of investigations into the separate incidents and urged any witnesses to come forward with information.

(Image: Dean Atkins)

(Image: Steve Allen / MEN)

Boy, 14, fighting for life in Birmingham

A 14-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital after being repeatedly stabbed in the head and neck outside a mosque in the early hours of the morning.

The teen was attacked outside the Idara Maarif-e-Islam Hussainia Mosque on Herbert Road, in Small Heath, Birmingham, at around 1am.

He was left with several stab wounds and was taken to hospital by paramedics after suffering life-threatening injuries.

He remains in a critical condition.

(Image: SWNS.com) (Image: SWNS.com) (Image: SWNS.com)

A cordon is in place on the road while specialist teams carry out forensic investigations at the scene, which is near to Birmingham City FC's St Andrews stadium.

Detective Inspector Jim Colclough, from West Midlands Police, said: "Knife crime is priority for us and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible.

"This is a tragic event which has left a young boy is in hospital fighting for his life so I'd urge anyone who was in the vicinity, saw what happened, or has any other information which may help our investigation to contact me or my team on 101 or to call Crimestoppers as soon as possible."

For the full story, click here.

(Image: SWNS.com)

Man, 21, stabbed to death in London

A murder investigation has been launched after a 21-year-old man was stabbed to death in Bow, east London.

Metropolitan Police officers were called to reports of a disturbance in Ropery Street at around 2.30am.

They found the victim with stab wounds in nearby Eric Street.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics from London's Air Ambulance service before being taken to a hospital, where he died at 4.52am.

(Image: London News Pictures Ltd)

Scotland Yard said detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating and no arrests have been made.

The victim's next of kin have been told but formal identification has yet to take place.

A post-mortem examination is also to be arranged.

Man, 21, killed and several injured in Manchester

A 21-year-old man was stabbed to death and several others were injured after a mass brawl broke out in Manchester city centre.

Many people were taken to hospital with injuries, including a man who had been hit with a glass and two women, aged 19 and 21, who were left unconscious after being punched.

Police officers were also attacked during the fighting and two officers had to be treated for minor injuries.

(Image: MEN)

(Image: CHRIS NEILL/MAVERICK PHOTOGRAPHY) (Image: MEN)

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after the brawl involving both men and women on John Dalton Street in Manchester.

It is believed the fighting started in the Suburbia nightclub and officers were called at about 2.50am.

Witnesses reported seeing blood splattered on a police van in the aftermath of the incident.

For the full story, click here.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

(Image: CHRIS NEILL/MAVERICK PHOTOGRAPHY) (Image: CHRIS NEILL/MAVERICK PHOTOGRAPHY)

(Image: CHRIS NEILL/MAVERICK PHOTOGRAPHY)

Five injured in two stabbings in Sheffield

Five people have been injured in two linked stabbing incidents in Sheffield.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the incidents, which took place early on Saturday morning, South Yorkshire Police said.

(Image: Dean Atkins) (Image: Dean Atkins)

In a series of three tweets, the force said: "We are dealing with two linked stabbing incidents in Sheffield city centre in the early hours of Saturday 30. Five people were injured.

"Four people have been arrested and detained in relation to the stabbing incidents in Sheffield early this morning.

"Roads are closed until further notice at Cambridge St, Carver St/Division St, Barker's Pool and Bethell Wk leading to Backfields."