The video will start in 8 Cancel

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

Three Sunday worshippers have been stabbed in a horror knife attack during a church service in Birmingham.

Around 150 people were packed inside the New Jerusalem Apostolic Church in Aston at 10.50am today when the man allegedly brandishing a "large kitchen knife" burst in.

Heroic ushers managed to restrain the knifeman in front of "distressed" churchgoers as he tried to launch an attack near the entrance before police and paramedics arrived.

The three men, named by the church as Karl George, Adam Brooks and Jorge George, were taken to hospital but their conditions are not thought to be life threatening, the Birmingham Mail reported.

Police said one man was stabbed in the neck and believe one of the victims was "targeted" by the knifeman. The other men were injured when they intervened.

Minister Kevin Hutchinson said: "A man with a knife stormed inside our sanctuary.

"Our normal Sunday service was going on and while that was going on he came.

"He was challenged at the door by our ushers. At that point he was restrained by them.

"He drew out a large kitchen knife and was restrained by a number of members, about three.

"Three members were injured and were taken to hospital.

"The men in the church were able to restrain him until the police and paramedics came."

A 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at 10.50am this morning to a church in Rocky Lane, Aston following reports that a man had been stabbed.

“Officers attended and a 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

“A 33-year-old man was taken to hospital with a neck injury and remains in a stable condition. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

“Two people who helped restrain the offender were taken to hospital with minor hand injuries.

“Early indications suggest that the offender and victim knew each other and that this was a targeted attack.

“This is not believed to be a terrorism related incident.”

A statement on the church's Facebook page confirmed three worshippers had been knifed.

It read: "Three members of our congregation were injured following a knife attack all of whom have been taken to hospital.

"The following individuals were injured - Elder Karl George, Adam Brooks and Jorge George. No injuries were life threatening.

"At this time we are restricting hospital visits to family only and we will keep you updated as regularly as possible.

"We would like to thank all of our members and friends that were with us this morning for your cooperation, bravery and support and thank everyone else for your prayers."

The church follows the Pentecostal movement which has a strong base in Nigerian communities.

The Birmingham-based branch was set up in 2002 and is run by Bishop Melvin Brooks and his wife Pastor Yvonne Brooks.