TWO MEN and a boy have been been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two people were stabbed in Blackburn.

Police were called to Ullswater Close at 11pm yesterday to reports of a fight involving up to 15 people in which weapons were involved.

Two men, aged 19 and 20, from Blackburn, received knife wounds and are being treated at hospital. Their injuries are not life threatening.

As a result of the incident two men, aged 24 and 31, along with a 16-year-old boy, all from Blackburn, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and are in custody.

Police have set up cordons on Birley Street, this morning with two vans and a mobile CCTV van blocking the road and the police tape was removed stopping people accessing the road at noon.

Detectives said enquiries are ongoing and police patrols have been stepped up in the area.

Detective Inspector Vinny De Curtis said: “This level of violence is simply unacceptable. It is only through good fortune that someone has not been more seriously hurt or even killed.

“While we have made a number of arrests, our investigation is very much on-going and I would appeal for anyone who has any information to come forward and contact us.”

Meanwhile residents have spoken of their shock at the incident.

Anne Smith, who lives in the flats on Birley Street, said: “It all happened between 11pm and 11.20pm when I saw the police.

“They had the dogs units out.

“There was a man in the road near the bus stop and I don’t know how he got there.

“We have complained to the police for months about youths smoking in our doorways.

“This is an over-50’s complex and we don’t expect this carry on.

“It is a real shock to see things like this in the area.”

James Harrison, 76, who also lives in the flats, said: “I was on the phone this morning and just heard about it.

“I didn’t see anything last night as when the hearing aid comes off I switch off.

“When I saw there were so many police vans knew something was going on.

“It is really concerning that something like this has happened.

“It is normally very quiet around here at night.”

Another resident of the flats, who wished to remain anonymous said: “When I looked out of my kitchen window on the top floor after being out to watch the football and I heard a man running out to stop a police van.

“Then all I saw was more police vans arriving in the area but I did not see anyone.”

An Ullswater Close resident said: “My wife told me that she had heard some fighting near the park at about 11pm.

“I went out to speak to one of the police officers this morning and they told me that someone had been stabbed.

“I only moved into the area a few months ago so it is worrying to hear about this sort of thing happening.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log number 1709 of October 30th or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.