A 16-year-old boy has been taken to hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries after being stabbed in the city centre.

The incident took place in Russell Square, close to Churchill Square shopping centre on what was a busy Saturday afternoon in Brighton .

The alleged stabbing took place at around 4.50pm on Saturday (May 27), when the streets were still filled with sunseekers and shoppers.

Russell Square is set back from Western Road and is away from the view of shoppers at Churchill Square. It is therefore typically much quieter.

Police and ambulance crews were called to reports of a teenager having been stabbed.

The boy, from Croydon, has been taken to hospital by the ambulance service with potentially life-threatening injuries.

A "significant number" of police officers were deployed to the area and are working on the investigation to identify and arrest anyone involved.

After the boy was taken to hospital, forensic officers were at the scene taking samples.

A police cordon was up sectioning off the square and parts of the adjacent streets.

Officers remained at the scene into the evening and were seen speaking to people passing by asking about what had happened.

A police spokesman confirmed emergency services were called to Russell Square in Brighton at around 4.50pm to reports of a teenager having been stabbed."

Sussex Police Detective Superintendent Miles Ockwell added: “This is a fast-moving investigation and there will be an increased police presence around the city centre while we establish the full circumstances of the situation.

“Enquiries are underway to identify and locate any suspects, while the victim is in the care of medical professionals.

“I understand an incident such as this is concerning for the community. We believe the individuals involved are known to each other and there is not deemed to be a wider risk to the public.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident, has relevant video footage or has any information that could help is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Badbury.”

This is one of a number of alleged stabbings that have occurred across the county in recent weeks.

In the evening of May 15, a 50-year-old was stabbed in Bohemia Road, Hastings.

Later that week, a 19-year-old man from Brighton was stabbed in Sutton Avenue, Peacehaven in the afternoon on Friday, May 19.

He sustained serious injuries and was still in hospital, albeit in a stable condition, on May 24.