Vigil is held for Nottingham attack victims in city gripped by fear: Hundreds gather in tribute as University of Nottingham offers support to undergraduates after two of its students were stabbed to death in knife rampage

• People gathered today at St Peter’s Church in Nottingham to pay their respects
• Three people were killed in the city this morning and a suspect was detained 

A vigil has seen hundreds gather to pay tribute to the Nottingham attack victims as the University of Nottingham offered support to undergraduates after two of its students were stabbed to death in a knife rampage.

Hundreds gathered  today at St Peter’s Church in Nottingham city centre to pay their respects and say prayers after three people were killed.

During the service, attended by mainly students from both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, those present were invited to place flowers below the altar or light a candle.

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Williams, said the impromptu service was an opportunity to ‘pray for those whose lives have so cruelly taken away’.

The bishop also said the city was ‘in collective shock and disbelief.

Hundreds gathered today at St Peter’s Church in Nottingham city centre to pay their respects and say prayers after three people were killed

During the service, attended by mainly students from both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, those present were invited to place flowers below the altar or light a candle

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Williams, said the impromptu service was an opportunity to ‘pray for those whose lives have so cruelly taken away’

Flowers at a vigil at St Peter’s church in Nottingham, as a 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three people were killed in Nottingham city centre early on Tuesday morning

READ MORE: Pictured: Ex-public schoolboy and talented sportsman who was one of two university students, both 19, stabbed to death at random in Nottingham rampage – before killer murdered man in his 50s, stole his van and mowed down three at bus stop

The University of Nottingham previously confirmed two of the victims were students, with one confirmed to be Barnaby Webber.

In a statement the university said: ‘It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and unexpected death of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city centre overnight.

‘We are shocked and devastated by the news and our thoughts are with those affected, their families and friends.

‘We know this is likely to cause distress for staff and students in our community.

‘Support is available through our support and wellbeing services for any of our community who may need it.’

The University of Nottingham Students’ Union confirmed it has cancelled Tuesday’s graduation ball following the attacks in the early hours.

The organisation said it was ‘devastated and shocked’ by the attacks that took place, leaving three people dead and three in hospital.

In a statement, the SU said: ‘We stand in solidarity with all our students and the wider city, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those harmed, alongside those directly and indirectly affected by the unfolding of these terrible events.

‘In light of this, we have made the decision to cancel Grad Ball this evening.

‘Attendees will be contacted in due course, but in the meantime we are continuing to work with the university and relevant authorities to understand the situation.’

This morning, the two 19-year-old students and a man in his 50s were stabbed to death before the attacker allegedly stole the older victim’s van and attempted to run over three people in Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire Police said a 31-year-old man was tasered and arrested on suspicion of murder following the deadly rampage and remains in custody.

Chief Constable Kate Meynell said the force were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incidents and no further arrests had been made.

Students comforted each other as the attended a vigil for the victims of this morning’s attack in Nottingham

The bishop also said the city was ‘in collective shock and disbelief

Hundreds gathered at St Peter’s Church to pay their respects for the victims of the attack this morning

The University of Nottingham previously confirmed two of the victims were students, with one confirmed to be Barnaby Webber, who is also believed to have been a member of Bishops Hull Cricket Club in Taunton

READ MORE: Van that mowed down three people during Nottingham rampage ‘was bought secondhand weeks before attacks after being listed on eBay’

The two 19-year-old victims were fatally knifed in Ilkeston Road, a student area of Nottingham, at about 4am.

Ms Meynell said the body of the man in his 50s was found in Magdala Road.

All three were found fatally stabbed in the street by members of the public, police said.

In a short statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Meynell said the force believed the attacker then stole the older man’s van before driving it at pedestrians in Milton Street.

The vehicle was stopped by officers in Maple Street before the suspect was tasered and detained, Ms Meynell said.

Three people were injured in the van attack, with one in a critical condition in hospital and two suffering minor injuries.

The police chief said the motive behind the attack was yet to be determined, but officers were keeping an ‘open mind’ and working with counter-terror police.

Ms Meynell said the families of all the victims had been informed and were being supported by specially-trained officers.

Mr Webber is believed to have been a member of Bishops Hull Cricket Club in Taunton.

Throughout today, witnesses gave harrowing accounts of the attacks, with one telling the BBC he heard ‘awful, blood-curdling screams’ and saw a ‘black guy dressed all in black with a hood and rucksack grappling with some people’.

Throughout today, witnesses gave harrowing accounts of the attacks, with one telling the BBC he heard ‘awful, blood-curdling screams’ and saw a ‘black guy dressed all in black with a hood and rucksack grappling with some people’ (pictured: people attending the vigil)

In a statement the university said: ‘It is with great sadness that we confirm the sudden and unexpected death of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city centre overnight’

This morning, the two 19-year-old students and a man in his 50s were stabbed to death before the attacker allegedly stole the older victim’s van and attempted to run over three people in Nottingham

Ms Meynell confirmed officers had carried out searches at a number of properties around the city – with cordons seen being put up on various sections of Ilkeston Road.

A terraced property on the road was under police guard, with staff at a neighbouring hairdresser saying it had been raided last year.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said ‘we’re in a very early stage of the investigation’ when asked whether the attack could have been terror-related.

She told broadcasters in Westminster: ‘We need to allow the police the time and the space to carry out all of their operational activity to determine the motive.

‘It’s right that Nottinghamshire Police are working with Counter Terrorism Policing. But it’s also fair to say that everybody and all professionals on the front line are keeping an open mind as to what the precise motive might have been.’

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