Police hunting driver who 'deliberately' drove into five pedestrians causing serious injuries

Five men were taken to hospital after they were hit by the vehicle on Livery Street, near Snow Hill in Birmingham in the early hours of Friday.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said it is believed they were "deliberately driven at" in what is being treated as a "targeted attack".

Officers were called to Livery Street just after 3am to reports of a "disorder" involving a group and found the men hurt.

One man was arrested on suspicion of affray. He remained in custody on Friday morning.

Police are however still "actively searching" for the driver and the car involved.

In a statement, West Midlands Police said: "We are treating this incident as a targeted attack and are stepping up our patrols in the area today for reassurance.

"We are asking anyone who saw what happened, especially those with photos or video, to get in touch with us via 101 or Live Chat quoting log 315 of October 4."

Officers remained at the scene on Livery Street on Friday morning to carry out enquiries.

Four ambulances, two paramedics officers, a Medical Emergency Response Intervention Team (MERIT) trauma doctor and critical care paramedic were called to the scene of the collision at 3.13am.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "The first patient, a male pedestrian, was treated by ambulance crews for multiple serious injuries.

"He was taken to a Major Trauma Centre for further treatment with MERIT travelling on board to continue care en route.

"Four other men, also pedestrians, were all treated by medics for potentially serious injuries and conveyed to hospital for further treatment."

West Midlands Police has launched a dedicated online portal to aid its investigation and urged people to submit any still or moving images which could help.

To access the Major Incident Public Portal, go to mipp.police.uk/operation/20HQ24A84-PO1