Updated: Woman Stabbed To Death In Newcastle Street

18 October 2016, 07:13 | Updated: 19 October 2016, 07:13

Five men have now been arrested, after a woman was stabbed to death in Newcastle's West End on Monday afternoon.

At 3:50pm on Monday (October 17) police were told by the ambulance service that two people had been taken to hospital after being assaulted in Stanhope Street in Arthurs Hill.

Both had suffered stab wounds and were taken to hospital, where sadly, 27-year-old Jodie Wilkinson died. 

The 25-year-old man also injured has now been released from hospital.

Three men, aged 22, 25 and 25, were arrested on Monday. 

On Tuesday, another two, aged 18 and 20 were detained.

The force said there could have been around "10 or 11 men in the group that were involved in the attack on the two victims'', and that they all fled the scene.

No weapon has been found.

A police cordon in Stanhope Street remained in place while inquiries continued.

Chief Superintendent David Felton said it was not thought to be a random attack.

"Although the motive behind the attack is still being investigated, we believe it potentially could have been some kind of dispute and I want to reassure the community that we do not believe there is any risk to the general public,'' he said.

"The attack happened in Stanhope Street and we know it was fairly busy at the time.

"It was 3.50pm and schools had not long finished and people were walking, driving and cycling in the area.

"There will be lots of people who were there or who were passing through and who might have seen something.

"We really need these people, or anybody who thinks they can help us, to speak to us straight away.

"Any tiny piece of information could be key so please don't hesitate in contacting us.

"The incident itself would have looked like a group of people fighting, like an altercation of some kind, and there would have been shouting and fighting.

"People would have then seen a group flee the scene, we believe, in the direction of Queens Court.

"If anyone saw anything suspicious in the area then please come forward and speak to officers or ring us on 101.''

Jodie's sister Amy said she was a devoted aunt and sister.

"She would do anything for anyone and we've got no idea why someone would take her life,'' she said. "All we ask is at this stage anyone with any information, no matter how small, to please come forward and assist the police.''

Detectives say they're very keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of Stanhope Street around the time of the incident and who might have seen or heard anything to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 702 17/10/16. 

Any witnesses who would prefer to pass information to the police anonymously can do so by ringing Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.