3:37 pm today

Stabbing sees police swarm Auckland's Birkenhead Avenue

3:37 pm today
Lights are out at Birkenhead Ave intersection with Onewa Road and traffic is being manually directed by a person in a high-vis vest while armed police guard a cordon.

Lights are out at Birkenhead Ave intersection with Onewa Road and traffic is being manually directed by a person in a high-vis vest while armed police guard a cordon. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel

A man has been stabbed in the main street of Birkenhead on Auckland's North Shore this afternoon.

Police said the man was taken to Auckland Hospital in a critical condition.

Armed police swarmed the scene and part of Birkenhead Avenue - near the intersection with Onewa Road - was cordoned off, with the armed officers guarding the road.

Lights are out at Birkenhead Ave intersection with Onewa Road and traffic is being manually directed by a person in a high-vis vest while armed police guard a cordon.

Lights are out at Birkenhead Ave intersection with Onewa Road and traffic is being manually directed by a person in a high-vis vest while armed police guard a cordon. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel

An RNZ reporter at the scene said a number of police vehicles were in attendance, as well as a unit from St John.

Waitematā field crime manager detective inspector Simon Harrison said a vehicle was seen fleeing the scene after the attack.

He said police were looking for anyone with information that may be useful.

Police said a scene examination would take place on Tuesday afternoon.

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Lights are out at Birkenhead Ave intersection with Onewa Road and traffic is being manually directed by a person in a high-vis vest while armed police guard a cordon.

Lights are out at Birkenhead Ave intersection with Onewa Road and traffic is being manually directed by a person in a high-vis vest while armed police guard a cordon. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel