Eight arrests after series of attacks
Two men are in hospital and eight have been arrested after a spate of violent incidents which are believed to be related across Sunderland.
Police have also seized a stash of weapons after a number of reports of disorder in the north of the city involving groups of males seen carrying weapons.
All those involved are believed to be known to each other and the incidents are thought to be retaliatory attacks between rival groups.
Officers were called to the Marley Crescent area of the city at 12.15am on Monday, after a report that a man had been assaulted.
A 31-year-old man was found with injuries consistent with a stabbing and taken to hospital, where he remains in a non-life-threatening condition.
At about 5pm the same days, police were alerted to a group of males – believed to be in possession of weapons–reportedto be acting suspiciously in the Ems worth Road area.
Officers carried out a search of an address where they located a number of machetes. Six men were arrested on suspicion of affray and taken into custody.
A string of addresses across the city have since been searched and further weapons seized.
At 12.15 pm yesterday,officers were called to an address in Rochdale Way, after a report a group of males had assaulted another man.
The man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to his arm and head, consistent with having been caused by a bladed article.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm and remain in police custody.
Officers are treating all the incidents as linked and have warned ‘robust action’ will be taken against anybody found to be involved.
Superintendent Paul Milner, of Northumbria Police, said: “The violence we have seen in recent days iscompletely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
"Some of the incidents have happened in broad daylight in full view of innocent members of the community including children.
“Investigations are underway in relation to each of the incidents and we have already made a number of arrests, seized various weapons and other items believed to be involved in criminality.
“Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, we will use every tactic at our disposal to tackle serious and violent crime and my message to the community is one of reassurance.
"All those involved are believed to be known to each other – and we are committed to ensuring they are brought to justice.
“We have increased patrols in targeted areas and have already interviewed various suspect sin connection with these offences.
"That action will continue throughout the coming days – and anyone else found to be involved can expect to dealt with robustly.”
The six men arrested in the area of Emsworth Road have since been released under investigation. Enquiries are ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20210712-0847.